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Columbia XHnipersit^ 
Contributions to Ebucation 

tteacbers (ToUcfle Series 



flo. 22 



ENGLISH GRAMMAR SCHOOLS 



IN THE 



REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH 



A. Monroe Stowe 



r , 



Published by 
Teachers College, Columbia University- 
New York 
1908 



V^ iK 



cy 



(b 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two OODiRS Received 

DEC 21 1S03 

Cop^ritjnt Entry 
CLASS C^ >^c. No. 

COPY a. 



Copyright, 1908 

BY 

Teachers College, Columbia University 



CONTENTS 

Introduction 

PAGE 

The two movements in the English education of the i6th century. . 7 

The aim of the present study 7 

CHAPTER I 
Foundation and Support 

Number of schools founded 9 

Total number of schools of which there is record 11 

Types of foundation (according to founders) 11 

Royal foundations 1 1 

Guild foundations 13 

City foundations 13 

Private foundations 14 

Privileges granted to founders 16 

Sources of support 18 

Annuities and revenues 18 

Interest on money ig 

Profit from mills and money from liquor license 19 

Motives of founders 20 

The relation of the schools to charity 23 

CHAPTER II 

Government of the Grammar Schools 

Government by feoffees 25 

Government by incorporated trustees 30 

Colleges 30 

Guilds , 32 

Town corporations 34 

Cathedral corporations 36 

Government by incorporated governors 37 

Number of governors in corporation 38 

Qualifications 38 

Powers 40 

Corporate title 40 

Right to acquire and hold land 41 

Constitution of corporations 43 

Right of perpetual succession 44 

Internal organization and method of management 45 

The common seal, right to have and use 51 

Statutes, right to make 52 



4 Contents 

PAGE 

Right of appointment and dismissal of master and usher. ... 52 

Right to admit pupils *. 52 

Visitation of schools 52 

Visitation by governors 52 

Visitation by other authorities 53 

Duties of visitors 54 

CHAPTER III 

The Teaching Staff of the Grammar School 

Size of staff 55 

Qualifications of usher 55 

Qualifications of master 56 

Appointment of master 62 

Power of appointment 62 

Precautions taken to insure actual appointment 65 

Examination and licensing of master 67 

Election and appointment of master 71 

Ceremonies of admission of master 72 

Appointment and admission of usher 75 

Term of office of usher and master 78 

Removal of master and usher 80 

Stipends of master and usher 84 

Additional considerations 89 

Sources of augmentation of stipends 92 

Admission fees 93 

Tuition and other fees 94 

Summary 97 

Duties of master and usher 98 

CHAPTER IV 

Grammar School Curricula 

Academic requirements for admission 104 

Content of curricula 105 

Elementary subjects 105 

Grammar 106 

Typical curricula 108 

Methods 117 

Elementary subjects 117 

Accidence and rules of grammar 118 

Construction 119 

Latin composition 121 

Elementary work 121 

Epistolary 121 

Theme writing 122 

Verse writing 123 

Orations 124 



Contents 5 

CHAPTER V 
Grammar School Pupils 

PAGE 

Number and classes of pupils attending grammar schools 125 

Admission of pupils 126 

Requirements for admission 129 

Formalities of admission 130 

Period of probation after admission 132 

Attendance of pupils 133 

Irregularity of attendance and penalties for such irregularity. . 133 

Amount of attendance 134 

The schoolhouse, or place of attendance 137 

Reasons for the great amount of time spent in schools 139 

Moral discipline of pupils 140 

Indirect 140 

Direct i4S 

Religious training of pupils 147 

State, Church and School interested in this training 147 

What constituted this training 148 

Concluding remarks i S^ 

APPENDICES 

Table of Contents iS7 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Classification of Works 196 

List of abbreviations used. 196 



INTRODUCTION 

The history of English secondary education in the sixteenth 
century reveals two movements, one of destruction, the other 
of reconstruction. The former movement reached its climax 
in the destruction of the monasteries,^ guilds, and chantries,^ 
since with these there perished a very large number of the 
institutions of English secondary education. But before this 
climax had been reached, the latter movement had exhibited 
itself in the foundation of such schools as St. Paul's' and the 
City Grammar School of Bristol.* While the former movement 
was spending itself, the latter continued to grow. Close upon 
the destruction of the monasteries and their schools followed 
the refoundation of the cathedrals and the cathedral schools by 
Henry VIII., ^ while simultaneously with the destruction of the 
guild and chantry schools occurred the foundation of increasing 
numbers of independent schools.* 

It is with these independent schools as they existed in the 
reign of Elizabeth that the present study is concerned, since it 
is hoped that through the study of the facts concerning their 
foundation and support, their government, their teaching staff, 
their curricula, and the school life of their pupils there may 
result not only a description of the schools as they existed at 
that period,^ but also the discovery of at least some of the chief 
characteristics of the education and educational institutions 
of this reconstructive movement in the English secondary 
education of the Elizabethan period. 

^ The lesser monasteries were suppressed in 1536; the greater abbeys 
in 1539. As to the importance of the education furnished by the mon- 
asteries at this time, there is considerable difference of opinion. Leach, 
English Schools at the Reformation, p. 19, is inclined to rate the educational 
influence of the monasteries very low, while Brown in his Study of the 
English Grammar Schools before the Reformation believes that Leach has 
underestimated their influence. 

- For discussion cf. Leach, English Schools at the Reformation, 34-55, 

58-73- 

^ Cf. Carlisle, ii., yoff; also, St. Paul's in the various School Histories 
given in Bibliography. 

^ Cf. Bristol, City Grammar School, Appendix A. 

'^ Cf. Leach, loc. cit. 58. 

^ Ibid, 78flE. 

' The treatment will be "cross sectional" rather than "longitudinal;" 
no effort has been made to trace in the sequence of events of our period 
the interaction of cause and effect. The period has been studied rather 
as a static whole than as a dynamic unit. 



CHAPTER I 

FOUNDATION AND SUPPORT 

The subject of the present chapter will be considered from 
•the following points of view: (i) number of schools founded 
during the reign of Queen Elizabeth; (2) types of foundation 
(a) with respect to founder and (b) with respect to character of 
endowment; (3) motives of founders; (4) relation of schools 
to charity. 

The Problem of the Number of Schools Founded 
(1558-1603) 

The impossibility of obtaining the necessary data makes the 
■solution of this problem not only difficult but very probably 
impossible. Leach has shown how hopeless is the inquiry into 
the number of schools founded in the reign of Edward VI.' 
In dealing with each case one is never quite sure whether it is 
one of foundation or refoundation, — ^whether or not a school 
existed in the place previous to the date under consideration. 
The number of letters patent granted to schools cannot be 
taken as representing the number of schools founded, since 
they were issued in not a few cases in favor of schools already 
in existence or of schools to take the places of those destroyed 
with the monasteries, guilds, or chantries.* Notwithstanding 
the difficulties various attempts have been made to estimate 
the number of schools founded during the reign of Elizabeth. 
M. Jacques Parmentier^ is quoted by Leach* as crediting this 
reign with the foundation of 150 grammar schools; de Mont- 
morency gives the number as 148 schools founded and 34 addi- 

^ English Schools at the Reformation, 2-7. He calls attention to the 
very divergent results of attempts to fix any definite number. Thus 
Strype gives the number as 22, Green as 18, Mr. J. "Bass Mullinger as 33, 
and M. Jacques Parmentier as 44, and others as 51 and 82. 

' Vide Blackburn, Faversham, Grantham, Old Maldon, and other 
similar cases quoted in Appendix A. 

^ Histoire de I' Education en Angleterre (Perrin & Cie., Paris, 1896). 

'* English Schools at the Reformation, 4. 



lo English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

tionally endowed,* while Adams' places the number at 137, 
the number given in the Report of the Schools Inquiry Com- 
mission.' This latter cannot be taken as representing the. 
number of places in which schools first came into existence in 
this reign, since the data collected in Appendix A shows that 
in 33 of these cases schools existed previous to 1558.' An 
estimate based upon the authorities quoted in Appendix A 
would place the number at about 78, but even such a moderate 
estimate would not be free from the objections raised above. 
Considering the material contained in Appendix A from another 
point of view, there are 135 schools concerning which our 
information dates back only as far as the reign of Elizabeth.' 
Considering the material from still another point of view, it will 
be noted that there are 78 cases of "foundation", 32 of letters 
patent granted in favor of schools, 12 of letters patent granted 
to schools already in existence, 6 of letters patent confirming 
and enlarging previous charters, and two known cases of refoun- 
dation. While these figures are of little value in the solution 
of the problem before us, they do have positive value in that 

' The Progress of Education in England, 42. 

" History of the Elementary School Contest in England, 18. 

^ Vol. I., App. 48-57. 

'The list contains the following places: Hartlebury, Bangor, Bristol, 
Godmanchester, High Wycombe, Darlington, Netherbury, Thetford,. 
Keswick or Crosthwaite Burford, Coventry, Eye, Bedford, Faversham,. 
Colchester, Topcliffe, Halsall (not included in App.), Stainmore, Well- 
ingborough, Bedale, Bodmin, Fotheringay, Leyland, Nantwich, Penryn, 
Ashburton, Biddenden, Bromyard, Cheltenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
St. Albans, Wakefield, Normanton. Since the list given in the Report 
includes three schools in Wales, Presteign, Caemarthen, and Ruthin, 
which are not included in the scope of our inquiry, the balance left is, 
therefore,! 01. 

^ The list of these schools would include the loi cases given by the 
Schools Inquiry Commission {cf. supra footnote 8), 5 cases of "foundation" 
(Aylesbury, East Adderbury, Gravesend, Northleach, Rothwell), given in 
Appendix A, and 29 cases of schools concerning which information dates 
back only to the reign of Elizabeth (Bamestaple, Berwick-upon-Tweed 
(three schools), Cambridge, Chipping Norton, Coleshill, Gillingham, 
Godmanchester, Greenwich, Hadleigh, Hoddesdon, Ilkley, Lavenham,. 
Lichfield, Little Walsingham, Maldon, Market Bosworth, Hartley, 
Norfolk, Ratcliffe Risley, Rochester, Saffron Walden, Saint Giles, Scar- 
brough, Stow-on-the-Wold, Wethersfield, Wigan) also contained in. 
Appendix A. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 1 

they indicate very clearly a genuine interest in secondary 
education, an interest which showed itself in the foundation 
and improvement of the institutions of that education. 

Somewhat related to the problems just discussed is that of 
the number of schools of which there is record during the period 
under study. Lee*' emphatically asserts that the number of 
schools at this time was less than 200. That he underestimated 
the number is conclusively shown by the material contained 
in Appendix A which includes 281 schools concerning which 
our information dates back to this reign, 51 schools concerning 
which data are lacking for the exact years under study but are 
given for those closely preceding or following, 9 schools whose 
existence between 1 558-1603 is more doubtful, and 2 schools 
founded in the reign of Elizabeth but actually begun later.** 
These figures*^ indicate that by the close of the reign of Elizabeth 
the number of schools at the time of the Reformation had been 
equaled if not surpassed. ^^ Thus in the rapid growth of the 
grammar schools of this period is to be seen the expression of the 
interest in secondary education. 

Types of Foundation 

As the interest in secondary education thus expressed in the 
foundation and improvement of grammar schools was manifested 
by the Crown, guilds, cities, parishes, and private individuals,, 
the types of foundation considered from the point of view of 
the founders may be classified as Royal, Guild, City or Corpora- 
tion, Parish, and Private Foundations. 

Royal Foundations. — While the Queen may or may not have 
actually founded the twenty-five schools with which Adams- 

*" The Church under Elizabeth, ii., 113. 

" Harrow and Blechinglen (cf. infra., p. 23, footnote 107 ) 

" They also agree very well with the information contained in following 
quotation from Harrison's Description of England, Bk. II. Chapt. iii, 

p. 83. " so there are not manie corporat townes now under 

the queenes dominion, that hain not one grammar school at the least," 
since he gives the number of cities as 26 (p. 244) and the number of 
market towns as from 300 to 400 (p. 259). 

" Leach, English Schools at the Reformation, 6, gives the known number 
of schools as 200, and estimates the probable number at 300. 



1 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

credits her,'* yet she was directly or indirectly concerned with 
a large enough number of foundations and improvements to make 
certain the interest of the Crown in secondary education. This 
interest, however, was not always spontaneous, since in some 
cases it had to be awakened by petitions addressed to the Queen 
l3y those interested in the particular projects for schools. Thus 
in Faversham the inhabitants, after an unsuccessful attempt to 
have their school refounded in the reign of Henry VIII., suc- 
cessfully petitioned the Queen when, in 1576, she spent two nights 
in the town.^* Nor was the foundation of a school always the 
primary matter in the letters patent. Thus in the case of 
Bridgwater the great and small tithes of the parish were granted 
to certain persons for a long term of years subject to a number 
of conditions among which was the payment of a charge of 
£6 135. 46. per annum for the support of a schoolmaster." Nor 
was the Royal foundation always a strictly new grant ; sometimes 
it was but a transfer of grants. Thus in the case of Salisbury the 
school was founded by discontinuing schools at Bradford and Trow- 
bridge and transferring their annuities to the new foundation." 

^* Adams, History of the Elementary School Contest in England, 18. 
His figures are from the S. I. C, i., Appendix, 48-57. The data contained 
in Appendix A would throw suspicion on four of the cases given in the 
Report, High Wycombe, Darlington, Chipping Bamet, and Ashbome, 
while a fifth case is one of a Welsh school, Caemarthen. 

*^ Carlisle, i., 574; also Edward Jacob, The History of Faversham in 
,the County of Kent, 54. The school was to replace the one suppressed 
with the Abbey soon after 1527. Cf. cases of Halifax, Mansfield, Ash- 
borne, Kingston-upon-Thames and others given in Appendix A. 

''Letters Patent, 1561. C. C. R. xv., 424. 

"Letters Patent, 1569, C. C. R. xxvi., 366. The Royal annuity at 
Bradford had been £10 125. -jd. and at Trowbridge, £1^ 95. id. These 
schools were discontinued on the grounds that there was no need of 
schools in these places since they were "upland towns of but few people, 
not a resort of gentlemen or merchants.' ' The money thus obtained was 
to be used to pay the salaries of the master and usher at Salisbury, 
while the Corporation was to furnish house and rooms. Another consoli- 
dation of funds occurred in the case of Pontefract (decree of the Duchy 
Court of Lancaster, 1583, C. C. R. xxxii., pt. 2., 811) where the royal 
annuities of four towns not above eight miles distance from Pontefract 
(Carlton, £5 45.; Crofton, £^ 35. iid.; Bolton-upon-Derne, £^ 135. ^d.; 
Royston, ;£4 65. iid.) were combined with that of Pontefract 595. 7J. for 
payment of the salaries of the master and usher at Pontefract, and the 
schools continued by commissioners in those towns were discontinued 
on account of the smallness of salary. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 3 

Guild Foundation. — The chief and only guild foundation 
mentioned in our material is that of the Merchant Taylors- 
School founded by the Merchant Taylors Corporation.** There 
were other Guild schools" but these were founded by private 
individuals, who, however, were usually members of the guild 
to which they deeded their schools." 

City Foundations and Endowments. — The cities in their 
corporate capacity were interested in the founding and im- 
provement of the grammar schools. According to an inden- 
ture between the Queen and the Mayor and Comburgesses of 
Leicester" the Corporation was to pay to Her Majesties Receiver 
of the Duchy of Lancaster ;^35 for all the lead, stones, and 
timber in and about the decayed church of St. Peter which 
they were to use in the construction of a school house which 
was to be completed within a year after the execution of the 
deed; the Corporation was also bound to repair the school 
house when in need thereof." The Corporation of Richmond 
appropriated lands for the support of their school." On July 
18, 1562, the Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of Wycombe deeded 
to the Queen a hospital and land belonging to it together with 
the "Lady Rents" which had belonged to the Fraternity of the 
Blessed Mary in order that Elizabeth might by letters patent 
regrant to the Corporation the said hospital, lands, and rents, 
on condition that the revenues of the same should be applied 
towards the support and maintenance of a school and four 
poor persons.^* Concerning the foundation of the school at 
Sandwich we have the following account in the words of the 
Records of the Corporation: 

"21st. may 5th. Elizabeth. 

' ' It was moved by the maior what a godly acte and worthie 
of memorye yt shuld be to make and fownd a free schoole within 
the towne for the godly educacion of children in the knowledge 

" Carlisle, ii., 49. 

" Cf. Infra p. 32fif. 

'" C/. Infra 15, footnote. 33. 

" April 7, 1573. James Thompson, The History of Leicester, 259. 

^' The responsibility of building and keeping the school in repair was 
not infrequently assumed by the towns. 

^^ 1566-67. S.I.C. xviii., 562. 

^^ Letters Patent issued July 21 1562. Parker, Early History and 
Antiquities of Wycombe, 144. 



1 4 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

and feare of God, and that God therefor wold blesse the towen 
the better; and required therefore, that euery inhabitant within 
this towen wold consyder so good an acte and to knowe what 
■euery man wold willengly give thereto; and that he and his 
brethern as they did judge that a very godly work so thei wold 
lardgelygiveof their porcions that the same might be stablished; 
which said mocion liked well all men. And so with one consent 
they offeryd to giue euery man for the same worke according 
to their abillytye as followythe, viz. ' ' Ten Jurats subscribed 
amounts varying from £6 13s. 4d. to ;^2o; 34 in the Common 
Council gave subscriptions varying from ;^io to ;£i2; these 
sums together with the contributions from the wards amounted 
to a total of ;^286 7s. 2d." 

Parish Foundations. — Most of the schools recorded in Appendix 
A as having been founded by subscription were probably founded 
by parishes as was the case in St. Savior where the grammar 
school was erected by the parishioners before 1562 when they 
applied for a charter.^" 

Private Foundation. — The case of Sandwich quoted above 
is interesting in that it shows how private individuals united 
with corporations in the founding of schools." The subscription 
mentioned was raised for the purpose of building a school 
house under promise of Mr. Roger Manwood to endow the 
school with lands the revenues of which would be sufficient 
to maintain the school and pay the salary of the master. But 
persons of greater note than Manwood became interested in 
the foundation of this school. Archbishop Parker, who hap- 
pened to be in the neighborhood at the time, became interested 
in the project and showed his interest by applying to the Dean 
and Chapter of Canterbury for a grant of a piece of land, which 
belonged to their church, for the site of the school, and by 
writing to his friend Cecil, who was then Secretary, to use his 
influence in procuring from the Queen her license for the endow- 
ment and foundation of the school.^* The license to erect a 

^^ Boys, History of Sandwich, 199. 

^° Carlisle, ii., 583. 

^^ A similar case of co-operation occurred at Northleach where the 
founder provided in his will ' ' that the said town of Northleach shall 
prepare a house convenient for the schoolhouse and schollmaster meet 
and necessarie for that purpose or else the school shall not be then. 
1559. S.I.C. XV. 93. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 5 

free school in Sandwich was granted to Manwood who is re- 
garded as the founder of the school. '* 

Included in the list of private founders and benefactors of 
the grammar schools of this period are the names of men in a 
large number of the trades and professions of the middle and 
upper classes. ^° Yeomen^" and gentlemen,^' schoolmasters'^ 
and guild members," nobility'* and clergy" from vicar to arch- 
bishop, all, women'* as well as men, showed a practical interest 
in secondary education by assisting in the foundation and 
improvement of its institutions. Indeed, when compared with 
the two reigns preceding the one under study, it will be noted 
that percentage of royal foundations is lower and that of private 
foundations much higher. 

Before proceeding to the discussion of the next division of 
our topic "Types of Foundations, Classified according to the 

^* Boys, History of Sandwich, 199. Cf. also Hook's Lives of the Arch- 
bishops of Canterbury, iv., 432. 

^' The illustrations given in the following seven footnotes are quoted 
from Appendix A. To assist in finding names there, each name is fol- 
lowed by the name of the town under which it is to be found. 

"*£.g. John Lyon, Harrow; John Hurrox, Moulton. 

^^ E.g. John Hanson, Andover; Wm.'Littlebury, Dedham; Wm. Lamb, 
Sutton Valence; Thomas Egglescliffe, Yarm. 

'^ Bequest given by schoolmaster at Warwick. 

^^ E.g. John Royse, Citizen and Mercer of London, Abingdon; Rich. 
Piatt, Brewer of London, Aldenham; W. Parker, Woolen Draper of Lon- 
don, Daventry; John Fox, Goldsmith, Dean; Lawrence Sheriff, Citizen 
and Grocer of London, Rugby; Peter Blundell, Clothier, Tiverton. 

^'^ E.g. Sir Henry Lee, Aylesbury; Sir Wm. Harpur, Bedford; Robt. 
Earl of Leicester, Chipping Bamet; Sir Rowland Hill, Drayton in Hales; 
Sir Roger Cholmely, Highgate; Edward, Lord Clynton and Saye, great 
admiral of England, Homcastle; Sir Wolston Dixie, Market Bosworth; 
Lord Wilhams of Thame, Thame; Sir Richard Fulmerston, Thetford. 

^^ E.g. Rev. Wm. Willan, Vicar, Crosby Ravensworth; Richard Midgley, 
Vicar, Rochdale; Christopher Rawhns, B. D., East Adderbury; Rev. 
Thos. Moyntforth, Pocklington; Robt. Johnson, Archdeacon of Leices- 
ter, Oakham and Uppingham; Dean Nowell, Middleton; Rev. Robt. 
Pursglove, Tideswell and Guisbrough; Rev. Bernard Gilpin, Houghton 
le Spring; Bishop of Durham, (1567) Darlington and (1566) Rivington; 
Archbishop Parker, Rochdale; Archbishop Grindal, Highgate and St. 
Bees. 

^"E.g. Mrs. Margaret Dane, Bishop Stortford; Elizabeth Burbank, 
Burton-Latimer; Elizabeth Paulett, Burton; Dame Mary Ramsay, Hal- 
sted. 



1 6 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Character of the Endowment," let us note briefly some of the- 
privileges granted to the founders of schools. 

Among these privileges was the honor of having the name 
of the founder perpetuated in the name of the school. Thus 
the school in Faversham was called ' ' The Free School of Eliza- 
beth, Queen of England, in Faversham;"" the school of the 
Merchant Taylors, London, was called after that company; 
the school in St. Savior was to be known as ' ' The Free Grammar 
School of the Parishioners of the Parish of St. Savior in South- 
wark;"" while the school in Sandwich was to be called, "The 
Free Grammar School of Roger Manwood in Sandwich,"^* that 
in Market Bosworth, "The School of Wolston Dixie, Knight, 
in Market Bosworth in the County of Leicester, "<" that in 
Hawkeshead, "The Free Grammar vSchole of Edwyn Sands 
Archbishope of Yorke in Hawkeshead,"" and that in St. Bees, 
"The Free Grammar School of Edmund Grindall, Archbishop 
of Canterbury. ' ' One cannot, however, safely infer from 
the name of the school that of the founder, for the schools at 
Ashborne" and Chipping Barnet** were named after the Queen 
though there is reason to believe they were not founded by her ;*' 
the school at Alford was to be called, "The Free Grammar School 
of Queen Elizabeth," although she contributed nothing;*' the 
school at Cranbrook was commonly called, ' ' Queen Elizabeth 's 
Free and Perpetual Grammar School, ' ' although it was founded 
by Simon Lynch ;*'' while on the other hand the school at Rich- 
mond founded by Elizabeth was to be known by the name of 
its governors, as the ' ' Free Grammar School of the Burgesses 
of the borough or town of Richmond. ' '** 

The power to make and change the statutes of the school 
was not infrequently given to the founder. Thus in the 

" Letters Patent, 1576, Carlisle, i., 574. 

''Letters Patent, 1562, Ibid ii., 583. 

''Letters Patent, 1563, Boys, History of Sandwich, 199. 

*" Letters Patent, 1601, Carlisle, i., 753. 

*^ Founder's Statutes, 1588, Cowper, Hawkeshead, 472. 

^^ 1583, Carlisle, i., 152. 

^'Letters Patent, 1585, Ibid, i,. 207. 

^^ Letters Patent, 1573, Ibid, i., 531. 

*^Cf. supra 12, footnote 14. 

■"Letters Patent, 1576, Ibid, i., 780, 

*' 1574, Ibid, i., 571. 

■"'Letters Patent, 1566-7, S.I.C. xviii., 562. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 7 

cases of Sandwich/" Hawkeshead,*" St. Bees," Kirby Stephen," 
andWitton" the founders possessed and exercised this important 
power. 

A power not less important than the one just noted was that 
of appointment of the teaching staff, ^* a power which was often 
given to the founder and not infrequently extended to his 
heirs. Thus, in Kirby Stephen,*^ Hawkeshead,^* Highgate," 
and St. Bees^' the power to appoint the master was given or 
assumed by the founder, while in Felsted,^* Guisbrough,*" 
Daventry," Marlborough,'^ Nantwich,'^ and Redgrave,'^ the 
privilege was extended to the heirs of the founder. Related 
to this power was that of appointment of the governors of the 
school, a privilege assumed by the founder of the school at 
Guisborough.*^ In two other cases the heirs of the founder 
were to take part in the government of the school, — in Witton" 
they were to be 'preferred as governors,' while in Thetford" 
they were given the government and management of the 
school. 

There are also several cases of privileges granted to the kins- 
folk or heirs of the founder. Thus, in Witton the kinsfolk of 
the founder were to be taught freely and were, if fit, to be pre- 

■*' Statutes quoted in Boys, History of Sandwich, 231. 

°° Statutes quoted in Cowper, Hawkeshead, 483. 

" Statutes quoted in Carlisle, i., 1 53-1 61. 

" Statutes quoted in Carlisle, ii., 714-720. 

"Statutes quoted in Carlisle, i., 129-134. 

" Cf. infra. 62. 

" Ibid. 

" Ibid. Also had power to appoint and remove usher and to fix salary 
of staff. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 480. 

" Letters Patent, 1565, Carlisle, ii,. 162. Also had power to fix stipend 
of master. 

'* Letters Patent, 1583, Carlisle, i., 152. 

^* Founder's Statutes, 1564, Carlisle, i., 432. Also had power of 
appointment and dismissal of usher. C.C.R. xxix., pt. 1., 206. 

'"Founder's Statutes, 1561, C.C.R. viii., 725. 

"Deed, 1576, C.C.R. xiii., 10. 

'^ Waylen, Marlborough, 464. 

" Hall, Nantwich, 374. 

"Statutes, 1561, C.C.R. xxii., 150. 

'* Founder's Statutes, 1561, C.C.R. viii., 725. 

"Founder's Statutes, 1558, Carlisle, i., 133-134. 

" Carlisle, ii., 191. 



1 8 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

f erred as masters;"* in Norman ton °' and Great Bardfield the 
founder's kin were always to be admitted as free scholars;'" 
while in Burford the heirs of the founder were, after his death, 
to have the privilege of electing four scholars known as "Wisdom's 
scholars" who were to pay nothing but the admission fee." 

Types of Foundations, Sources of Support 

It is verj- probable that the majority of the schools of the 
period under study were supported either by annuities or by 
incomes from estates with which they were endowed.''^ The 
annual value of the annuities ranged from £^ 45. iid. to £^8 
135. 4C^.," while that of income from estates varied from ;;^io to 
;^45 75. 6<i.'* There seems to be no correlation between either 
of these chief sources of support and either royal or private 
foundation, although it appears that the Crown favored the 
granting of annuities while a large number of private individuals 
left estates to the schools. The annuities granted by the Crown 
were paid from the royal revenues, while those left by individuals 
were paid from the income of estates held in trust. From the 
standpoint of the schools there is no doubt as to which was the 
better source of income, the annuity or the rent charge. History 
has proved that the latter is by far superior to the former, for 
while annuities of sufficient amount to maintain the schools 
in the i6th century have, by reason of the depreciation in the 
value of money, become insufficient and thereby caused the 
schools either to cease their existence or degenerate into ele- 
mentary schools, lands, which then yielded an income just 
sufficient to maintain a master, increased in value until now 
some of the grammar schools of England are more wealthy than 
many of our American colleges." The importance of investing 

'* Carlisle, i., 132. 

" 1594, S.I.C., xviii., 190. 

'"Founder's Will, 1584, S.I.C. xiii., 12. 

'1 Founder's Statutes, 1571, S.I.C. xii., 217, also Monk, History of 
Burford, 134. The names of the benefactors were to be written on a 
tablet placed in the schoolroom. The founder and his heirs exercised 
the privileges of visitor until 1743. — Monk, 134. 

'^ Cf. Appendixes B and C. 

'3 Cf. Appendix B. 

'^ Cf. Appendix C. 

'^ A glance through Carlisle, Endowed Grammar Schools, will reveal 
the truth of this statement. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 9 

the funds of the school in land appears to have been recognized 
at that time. Thus, Archbishop Grindal left ;^5oo to St. Bees 
with which to purchase land of the annual value of £^0 ;" in 
Newcastle under Lyme ;^ioo were left to purchase land," while 
in Atherstone" and Tarvin'^ ;^2oo were given to each of the 
schools for the same purpose; while in 1589 Blackburn pur- 
chased a rent charge of ;^2o per annum with sums received in 
•endowments and by subscription.*" 

A few schools derived their support from money put out at 
interest. Thus, one of the benefactors of the school at Alford 
left to the school 4-5 of the annual interest of £^0 ;" in Ashton- 
in-Makerfield the school received by indenture the interest of 
;;^6o;*2 while in Daresbury ;^i6o were contributed by Richard 
Rider and others "to be let out to respectable inhabitants."" 
Other schools were supported by city corporations as in the 
cases of Doncaster*^ and Great Yarmouth,** while a few schools 
were partly supported by tuition and other fees.*' 

Not uninteresting is the source of support in the cases of 
Manchester and St. Albans. In the former the school was 
supported by the proceeds from mills at which the inhabitants 
were compelled to grind their corn," while in the latter the 
support of the school was provided for in the "Wine Charter" 

" 1583, Carlisle, i., 162. The figures given in this case together with 
those given in the case of Kirkby Lonsdale (Appendix C, footnote 3) 
indicate the great value of some of the endowments given in Appendix C. 

" Ehz., Carlisle, ii., 482. 

''Before 1573, Carlisle ii., 615. 

'* S.I.C. xvii., 92. 

«»7fejd, 173. 

«i CarHsle, i., 780. 

«2i588, S.I.C. xvii., 158. 

'''Ibid, 38. 

** Tomlinson, Doncaster from the Roman Occupation to the Present 
Time, 44. 

** School supported by a voluntary grant from the corporation funds 
S.I.C. xiii., 392. Liverpool likewise in 1566 in an assembly of the bur- 
gesses supplemented an endowment by the Queen by a voluntary assess- 
ment on the inhabitants from which was raised £5 13s. 4d. Picton, 
City of Liverpool, 104. 

s'C/. Chapter III., p. giff. 

" C/. Green, Town Life in the i^th Century, Vol. ii., 17, where it is 
stated that the custom was continued until 1759. 

The Court Leet Record, nth April, 1577, treats the then present state 
of affairs in the following words: 



20 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

obtained by Sir Nicholas Bacon from the Queen in favor of 
St. Albans.'' The charter granted to the Mayor and Burgesses 
the power ' ' of appointing and licensing Two discreet and honest 
Inhabitants within the Borough, to sell and utter there all 
manner of Wine by any measure to their best profit, and to 
keep one Wine Tavern each," and ordained that "within said 
Borough, under penalty of ;(^2o for each offence, upon con- 
dition that the Mayor and Burgesses should cause the said sum 
of ;^2o to be annually paid to the School Master of the said 
Grammar School."'" 

Motives of Founders 

We have thus far noted (a) the existence of a widespread 
interest in secondary education during the reign of Elizabeth, 
(b) the classes of organizations and persons thus interested, 
and (c) the ways in which that interest was expressed. There 
remains to be discussed one other aspect of this interest, viz. 
its dynamic phase as exhibited in the motives which inspired 
the foundation and endowment of the grammar schools. The 
following statements of motives are typical: 

(i) The schools at Uppingham and Oakham are reported 
by Camden as having been erected for ' ' the training up of chil- 
dren in good literature. " "" 

"The Jurye doth presente yt whereas Duyze (diverse) orders hereto- 
fore made to thend the Inhabitants of the towne shoulde grynde y (their) 
greyne and comes at ye Lords mylnes, Notwithstandinge many not 
regarding theire comon wealthe and good educatyon of theire children 
in ye said schoole, willfullye absente them selves, and grynde at other 
myllnes now to the great outhrowe (overthrow) of the said schoole, wch 
only ys founded and maynteyned by suche comoditye, as doth grow 
by the same, these therefore are to desyre all those yt doe absente them 
selves from the said Myllnes, yt they woulde bringe or cause to be broughte 
theire come unto the same myllnes there to be groude (ground), and if 
defaulte be in the mylner, they shall haue recompence, as by the advyse 
of two honest men to be appoynted shalbe thoughte meete, and yf this 
or gentle request will not serve, then to thincke no uncurtesye, yf we 
use suche meanes, as we maye lawfully may, to compell them to the 
same." — Court Leet Records of Manchester, Vol. i., i86. 

'' Oxford, Cambridge, and St. Albans were the only towns privileged 
to retain the money from the issue of wine licenses. — Ashdown, St. 
Albans, 159. 

'* Charter, 1569, Carlisle, i., 509. 

^'^ Britain, 525. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 2 1 

(2) The petition of Kirby Lonsdale is based upon the desire 
to furnish an "education to the boys and youth living and abid- 
ing in the town and neighborhood.''" 

(3) "The promotion of good learning and education" is given 
as the motive in the case of Hexham." 

(4) The school at Burford was founded in order "to keep the 
youth from spending their time idly and to teach them their 
duty.'"' 

(5) The school at Highgate was founded "for the education 
of poor boys."" 

(6) The object of the trust in the case of Ashby-de-la-Zouch 
was "the instruction of youths, infants, and little ones, in good 
manners, learning, knowledge and virtue. " °* 

(7) The school at Halifax was founded "for the continual 
bringing up, teaching, and learning of children and youth."" 

(8) Archbishop Parker founded the school at Rochdale in 
order that the youth of the parish might "be brought up in the 
learning of true piety and the Latin tongue."" 

(9) The motive of the founder of the school at Witton was 
' ' to increase knowledge and worshipping of God and our lord 
Jesus Christ and good Christian life and manners in children."" 
It is stated in greater detail in the following excerpt from the 
preamble of his statutes for the school : * ' Forasmuch as God 's 
glory, his honor, and the wealth public, is advanced and main- 
tained by no means more than by virtuous education and bring- 
ing up of Youth under such as be learned and virtuous School- 
masters, whose good examples may as well instruct them to 
live well as their doctrine and learning may furnish their minds 
with knowledge and cunning, (I) have thought it good, not 
only to erect the said Free Grammar School, and to provide 
a reasonable and competent Stypend for the Schoolmaster of 
the same, and that in respect of the zeal that I have to God's 
glory, and for the love that I bear to my native country."*' 

"^ Letters Patent, 1591, S. I.C. xix., 368. 

*^ Letters Patent, 1599, S.I.C. xix., no. 

*^ Monk, Burford, 133. 

** Letters Patent, 1565, Carlisle, ii., 162. 

"Founder's Deed, 1567, S.I.C. xvi., 31. 

"Letters Patent, 1585, Carlisle, ii., 808. 

"Indenture, 1564, C.C.R. xix., 267. 

** Founder's Statutes, 1558, Carlisle, i., 131. 

®* Ibid, 129. 



2 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

(lo) In 1 57 1 the school at Seven Oaks received from one of 
its benefactors a tenement towards the ' ' meyntenance of God 's 
glory and the erudition and bringing up of the Pore Scollers of 
Sevenoke in virtuous discipline, godly learninge, and good and 
civill manners. "i°" 

(ii) The motive for making the school at Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne a royal foundation is given in the following excerpt from 
the preamble to the letters patent: "Moreover, we have been 
revolving in our mind how much advantage would arise to the 
commonwealth of England, over which Almighty God has 
been pleased to place us, that youth should be well founded 
from their tenderest years in the rudiments of true religion and 
instructed in learning and good manners, we, etc. ordain, etc. 
one Free Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne."*"' 

Four types of motives appear in the list just quoted, the 
moral and religious, the political, the educational, and the 
philanthropic. The moral and religious motive appears to 
have been very strong and influential. The religious motive 
had been the leading motive in the foundation of the chantries 
and their schools, but in the foundation of the new schools 
its character changed, its superstitious and selfish nature gave 
way to a more rational and unselfish spirit; the motive was no 
longer the salvation of the soul of the founder with those of 
his heirs by the chanting of prayers for them, but the salvation 
of the children through a more perfect knowledge of God and 
Christ'"^ and the development of strong moral character through 
precept and example.^"' The salvation of the children was 
recognized by a few as the salvation of the state, and the political 
motive when stated was the good of the commonwealth through 
the realization of the religious motive. The importance of 
secular education to the welfare of the state does not seem to 
have been perceived by the benefactors of the Elizabethan gram- 

»»«Deed, 1571, Carlisle, i., 617. 

*"^ Grace D. Rendel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 127. Cf. also John Brand,. 
The History and Antiquities of the Town and County of Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne, i., 88. 

"^ To be obtained from a study of the catechism and the dogmas of 
the Church of England. 

103 While this is true of the majority of cases, yet there were instances- 
of founders ordaining that the masters and pupils should pray for their 
souls and the souls of those dear to them. Cf. infra i$i, 153, footnote 141. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 23 

mar schools. The secular and religious were so closely related 
that they were hard to separate in the minds of the founders, 
but notwithstanding this there were a few cases in which the 
motive is furnished by the purely secular educational aim. 
Pervading almost all of the motives, however, was the philan- 
thropic. There was the desire to aid those who were in need of 
aid, hence the foundation of so many schools for " poor scholars " 
who otherwise would have been compelled to go without the 
education which their benefactors thought necessary or good 
for them. This philanthropic spirit is expressed in the pro- 
visions made for charity. Indeed, one of the characteristic 
features of the education of this period was its close relation to 
charity and^ other humanitarian interests. 

The Relation of Schools to Charity 

In their foundation, support, and management or govern- 
ment, many of the schools and charities were closely related. 
In not a few cases the school was founded in connection with 
a charity. Thus, the school in Aldenham was founded simul- 
taneously with six almshouses;^"* that in Croydon'"* and in 
Tadcaster'"" with a hospital, while the endowment for a school 
in Blechingley was appropriated to almshouses.*" 

Schools and charities were often supported from the same 
funds. Thus, in the case of Kirby Stephen £2(i 135. ^d. was to 
be expended annually in payment of the master's salary and in 
support of the poor and a mansion house;'"' in that of Hunting- 
don certain funds were to be used for the "maintenance and 
relief of poor people and for the support of a Free Grammar. 
School,"'"* in that of Brentwood part of the land of the school 
was appropriated to the support of five alms people;"" in that 
of Wycombe the rents of a certain hospital were to be applied 
to the support of the school and of four poor persons,'" in that 

»«* Founder 's Will, 1595, S.I.C. xii., 65. 
""* Letters Patent, 1599, C.C.R. xxx., 871. 
"» 1560, S.I.C. i., App. 48. 

^"' School was not actually established until 1 640 when its endowment 
was increased. S.I.C. xi., 155. 

"'Letters Patent, 1566, C.C.R. ix., 674. 

'"'Commission of Charitable Uses, 1570, S.I.C. xii., 1570. 

""Deed, 1565, S.I.C. xiii., 17. 

*" Letters Patent, 1562, S.I.C. xii., 189. 



2 4 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

of Cheltenham 4-5 of the gross revenues of the endowment were 
to go to the grammar school and a hospital for six poor people,"* 
in that of Rugby four poor men were to be supported from the 
income of the school,"' while in that of New Woodstock £20 
from an annuity of ;^ioo were to be paid to the master while 
the remainder was to be devoted to the support of ' ' Impotent 
Soldiers" in the Borough."* 

The most vital relationship, however, existed in the manage- 
ment or government of some of the schools and charities, in 
which the same men were trustees or governors of both the 
school and the charity and were so incorporated. Thus, in 
the cases of Rugby, "^ Thame,"' Aldenham,"^ West Laving- 
ton,"* Stepney,"' and Cheltenham,"" the governors of the 
school were at the same time governors of the particular charity, 
while in the cases of New Woodstock,*" High Wycombe,"' 
Bunbury,'" Sherborne"* and Worcester,'" the governors of 
the school were incorporated as governors of both school and 
charity funds."' To a detailed study of these governing bodies 
let us now turn our attention. 

'"Founder's Deed, 1586, S.I.C. xv., 38. 

'*' Founder's Will, 1567, Staunton, 351. 

"* 1599, Carlisle, ii., 322. 

"^ The trustees of the school were to build ' ' four meete and distincte 
lodgeings for foure poore men to be and abyde in, ' ' who were to be 
called the Almsmen of Lawrence Sheriff of London, Grocer, and were 
to have yd. each per week toward his relief. — Staunton, 351-2. As a 
matter of fact they were quartered for many years in rooms partitioned 
off in the mansion house. — Rouse, History of Rugby, App. ii. 

"' C/. infra 30 (Thame). 

'" C"/. iitfra 32 (Aldenham). 

"' Cf. infra 32 (West Lavington). Five headmen and two beadwomen 
provided with a room each andios. lod. per quarter. — C.C.R.vi., 286-287. 

'" Governors of school and almshouses, cf. infra 32 (Stepney). 

^^"Cf. infra 31 (Cheltenham). 

"^ Cf. supra 24. Cf. also App. E, Woodstock. 

^'^^ Cf. Wycombe, supra, 23. Cf. also Appendix E. 

"' Governors incorporated for government of the school and the relief 
of the poor in the parish. C. C. R. x., 193. Cf. also App. F., infra 41 
(Bunbury). 

'^* Governors incorporated as governors of school and almshouse. 
Cf. App. F. 

*^^ Governors incorporated as "Governors and Supervisors of the Free 
School and Almshouses of Worcester." C.C.R. xix., 520. Cf. App. F. 

"" Cf. infra 31, footnote 30. 



CHAPTER II 

GOVERNMENT OF THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS 

At least three distinct types of government existed during the 
reign of Queen Elizabeth. Certain schools were governed by 
non-incorporated trustees or feoffees, others by incorporated 
trustees, and still others by bodies of men especially incorporated 
as governors of the school. It is the purpose of the present 
chapter to treat each of these types with respect to their member- 
ship and intemalorganization, and their powers and duties. 

I. Government by Feoffees 

This type of government is the one which is discovered in 
-cases where the founder does not obtain letters patent of incor- 
poration but simply deeds his property to certain men upon 
condition that they manage the property for the purpose of 
supporting the school. The number of men thus enfeoffed 
varied from two to twenty-seven.* They were chosen chiefly 
from the middle and upper classes, including in their number 
yeomen, gentlemen, and in one instance at least, a Chief Justice 
of England.^ While the original body was chosen by the founder 
or benefactor, provision was generally made for the enfeoffment 
of new members to take the place of those taken away by death 
or removal from the locality. A study of these provisions will 
also reveal a number of qualifications of members of various 
bodies. 

The time at which this new enfeoffment should take place 
varied. In Ashby de la Zouch, within six months after the 
number had been reduced to six, the survivors were " by writing 
or Indenture Tripartite to re-enfeoff the six and eight others."^ In 
Tiverton a new enfeoffment was to occur whenever the num.ber 



* Cf. Appendix D. 

^ Sir Fratmcis Popham, Chief Justice of England, was appointed one 
of the feoffees at Tiverton. Included in this original body also were 
two infant members, sons of two of the relations of the benefactor, who 
were thus included because he did not wish to run the risk of their not 
teing subsequently elected. Carlisle, i., 341. 

* Carlisle, i., 742. 



2 6 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

was decreased to thirteen when the number was to be raised to at 
least twenty-five." In Wellingborough * and Skipton* the lower 
limit was five, the number to be raised to the original, in Whit- 
church the lower number was eight.' In Warrington, when the 
original number was decreased to four, these were, within one 
month, to enfeoff two honest priests, who in turn were to re- 
enfeoff the four survivors together with twelve other of the 
"most honest and discreet persons" living in four specified 
parishes, who had been selected before by the surviving four,* 
while in Biddenden the number, twenty, was to be filled up every 
seven years.* 

The provision taken by the founder of the school at Witton is interest- 
ing enough to be quoted in full. It reads as follows : ' ' Because all 
Men be mortal, and through such of the number of Feoffees being dead 
there happen some disorder, not only in the School but also in the lands 
and tenements thereunto given by the Founder aforesaid, might fall to 
ruin and decay or the School-house want such furniture as appertaineth, 
therefore I will as oft as Four of the Feoffees be dead, the rest of the 
Feoffees surviving, within one quarter of a year, shall assemble them- 
selves at the School-house aforesaid, shall not only then and there elect 
and choose Four other of the Founder's next Kinsfolk to be Feoffees in 
the stead of the other Four FeofEees before dead, if there be then so many 
of his Kinsfolk alive, and if not, then to choose Four of the most honest,, 
sage and discreet persons, being Inhabitants of the Parish of Witton 
aforesaid, and especially such as will have a vigilant eye and bear a. 
good zeal to the maintenance and continuance of this Free School, — ^but 
shall then and there also enfeoff the Four by them so chosen, in all the 
lands and tenements given to the School aforesaid, to the use limited by 
the Founder's enfeoffment, and this order and election to be continued- 
for ever. " *" 

In the above quotation is given not only the course to be- 
pursued in the election and enfeoffment of new trustees, but. also a . 
detailed account of the necessary qualifications. The "Founder's • 
next Kinsfolk" were to be preferred," and in default q.£ these:^ 

* Ibid, 342. 

* Carlisle, ii., 227. 
^ Ibid. 901. 

' S. 1570. C.C.R. xxiv., 337. 

* Deed 1526, but in effect during reign of Elizabeth. C.C.R. xx., 167.: 
•Founder's Will, 1566. S.I.C. xi., 21. 

•' Statutes, 1558, Carlisle, i., 133-134. 

" This was not uncommon. In the case of Rugby the succession was 
to be in the families of the two original trustees, Harrison and Field, 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queeri Elizabeth. 2 7 

the four were to be chosen from "the most honest, sage, and 
discreet persons," "such as will have a vigilant eye and bear a 
good zeal to the maintenance of this Free School" and were to be 
" Inhabitants of the Parish of Witton. ' ' This local qualification 
was very common, but hardly less so than the stock phrase, 
men of "good fame, morals, and condition."'^ 

While it has been noted that the perpetuity of the trust was 
provided for by new enfeoffments and by qualifications of a high 
grade for members, there remains to be considered the methods 
of managing the estate entrusted to the feoffees, which was the 
chief duty of these bodies of men.^^ In at least one place this 
duty seems ^ to have been referred to the schoolmaster, for in 
Warrington, one 3^ear after his nomination, the master was to be 
given a lease of the property of the school for sixty years, a 
lease which was to become void upon the severance of his con- 
nection with the school; the master was given power to demise 
property at his pleasure, but for terms of only ten years.'* 
While the period for which land could be demised was the same 
in Whitchurch as that which has just been quoted, the power 
was in the hands of the feoffees, who were to render a yearly 
account of all the rents and profits of the property to the church- 
wardens of the parish church at an annual meeting to be held 
in the parish church.'* A somewhat similar arrangement seems' 
to have existed at Wellingborough, where the actual management 
was vested in the entire body of feoffees, who were to render 
account every year on Easter Monday and Tuesday at a meeting 
to be held in the schoolhouse and to be open to all parishioners' 
who desired to attend. At these meetings the accounts were to' 
be examined by the Vicar, the Schoolmaster, and three of the" 
men assessed highest at the last assessment. But this was not' 

Staunton, Great Public Schools, 365. This was true Until 1602, when' 
because of some trouble there was a complete remodeling of the trust,' 
which was then vested in a body of 12 feoffees, men of sta'nding and' 
repute. — Rouse, Rugby, Appendix II. B. 

" Cf. Carlisle, i., 742. 

*' In the case of Newport this appears to have been the sole di^ty of" 
the feoffees. Carlisle, i., 437. 

"Deed, 1526, but in effect in reign of Elizabeth. C.C.R. xx., 16^; 
Similarly in Tadcaster (Statutes, 1586) the property was to be managed 
by the master. S.I.C. xviii., 274. 

"Statutes, J570. C.C.R. xxiv., 337. 



2 8 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen E^lizabeth. 

the only precaution taken. Within three weeks the accounts 
were to be presented by two of these auditors to any one of the 
justices of peace in order that 'they might, if they would, peruse 
and consider the same.' '* 

In the above description it will be noted (a) that provision 
was made for keeping alive local interest in the school by making 
the annual meeting open to all parishioners, (b) that precaution 
was taken against mismanagement of funds, by the creation of 
.a double system of auditing, and (c) that the board of auditors 
contained the "best elements" in the community from the 
standpoint of scholarship (the Vicar and the Schoolmaster) as 
well as from that of financial ability (the three men assessed 
highest at the last assessment). 

Very different but not less interesting was the method of 
management at Tiverton, where, while the management was to 
be in the hands of the entire body, "a true and perfect Book of 
Survey of granting and demising the lands of the estate, of money 
received and paid out, and other proceedings in and about the 
premises" was to be kept by a "perfect Clarke" to be appointed 
by the feoffees and to receive an annual salary of 405. for his 
services. He was to take "warrant of all his doeings from the 
feoffees, or the most part of them, with their hands alwaies to 
bee subscribed. " " 

In the cases thus far studied the estates have been managed 
by the whole body of feoffees except where the management 
has been delegated to the master, a custom which fortunately 
for the masters as well as for the property of the schools does 
not appear to have been common. In Tiverton much of the 
executive power of the large and cumbersome body of feoffees 
must have been delegated to the "perfect Clarke." A decided 
step in advance towards executive efficiency seems to have been 
taken at Witton where the founder in his statutes for the school 
willed that the financial arrangements, ' ' the receiving and paying 
all manner of rents, wages, and charges concerning the School, ' ' 
were to be cared for by two of the feoffees, who were to be 
elected by the feoffees for a term of two years, were not to serve 
for two successive terms, and were to "yield account" to the 



" Decree of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, 1596. Carlisle, ii., 227. 
"Founder's Will, 1599. Carlisle, i., 341. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 2() 

rest of the feoffees and the Church Wardens of Witton every 
year upon Jesus Eve.'* 

As the care and repair of the school and its property were 
included in the actual management of the estates, the chief 
duties of the feoffees were such as would arise from acting as- 
custodians and managers of estates, and hence the chief powers 
were financial in their nature. Thus while the feoffees at Welling- 
borough were to pay the salary of the master they had no voice 
in his appointment or removal.'* But while this was true in a 
few other cases, perhaps in a larger number the feoffees had the 
power to appoint and dismiss the master, ="* and in one instance 
at least they had the power of appointment and dismissal of 
the usher as well as that of making statutes for the better' 
governing of the school." Commonly, however, the statutes 
appear to have been made by persons other than the feoffees 
who were merely to see that the rules were enforced faithfully." 

While our study has shown that in not a few places special 
provisions were made for the safeguarding of the trust, it is clear 
that without such provisions too much is left to the individual 
characters of the men who compose the body of feoffees; the trust 
was safe in proportion to the soundness of character of the 
individual feoffee; there was always the danger that the feoffees 
would appropriate the lands or rents to their own use." While 
these dangers might exist in the case of a corporation there was 
not the same amount of danger; that more confidence was 
actually placed in government by corporations is proved by the 
greater number of cases of such government. But before pro- 
ceeding to the consideration of the second type of government,, 
two transitional cases should be noted. 

The first is that of Alford, where in 1565, Francis Spanning, a. 
Merchant of Alford, placed by deed, the interest of ;^5o into the 
keeping of ten managers, six of whom were to be feoffees chosen 

'* Statutes, 1558. Ibid., 134. Cf. Appendix G for reference to these- 
feoffees and for copy of one of their reports. 

'' Decree of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, 1596. Carlisle, ii., 227. 

2« Cf. Appendix D. 

^' Case of Tiverton. Cf. Appendix D, 

^^ E. g. Witton, Statutes, 1558, Carlisle, i., 134. 

*' Such an accusation was brought against the feoffees of the schoot 
at Moulton, in 1599, by the master, who appears to have won his case- 
Carlisle i., 837. 



.3 o English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

from the inhabitants of Alford and to be known as the Governors 
of the school, while the other four were to be of the most respect- 
able persons in or near the town and were to be known as Audit- 
ors"* — a plan somewhat similar to that at Wellingborough. 
But in 1576, when a Charter was obtained," the governors were 
made an incorporated body. 

The second transitional case is that of Thame where several 
rectories left in 1558 by Sir John William, Knight, to his executors 
for the establishment and maintenance of a free school, were 
surrendered by the feoffees in 1574, under license of the Crown, 
to the management of the Warden and Scholars of New College, 
Oxford."' A study of the new form of government of this school 
leads us into the second division of our topic, 

II. Government by Incorporated Trustees 

These trustees differ from those just studied in that they are a 
corporation and have the rights of a corporate body while the 
feoffees were not incorporated and did not have the rights of 
such a body. They differ from those to be studied in the third 
division of our topic, "Government by Specially Incorporated 
Governors," in that they are not incorporated for the specific 
purpose of governing a certain grammar school as is the case with 
those under the third division. The trustees to be studied under 
this division are simply members of corporations founded for 
other purposes, with other functions to perform; these corpora- 
tions impressed the founders or those interested in the schools as 
being desirable trustees for the endowments and possessions of 
the school, and were therefore made governors of the school. 
Four types of corporations were thus not uncommonly chosen: 
colleges, guilds, incorporated towns, and cathedral corporations. 
The present division of our topic may, therefore, be treated 
under the following heads: Government by Colleges, Govern- 
ment by Guilds, Government by Town Corporations, and Govern- 
ment by Cathedral Corporations. 

A. Government by Colleges. — The endowment of the grammar 
school at Thame, as we have seen, was surrendered by the 

"^ Carlisle, i., 780. 

" It is stated in Carlisle, i., 780, that this action was due to the influence 
of two of the Auditors. 

"•Carlisle, ii., 313. S.I.C. xii., 269. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 3 1 

■original feoffees to the Warden and Scholars of New College, 
Oxford, and their Successors, in order that the trust might be 
better discharged. The chief duties to be performed by the 
new trustees were to "employ and bestow the profits of the 
premises according to the mind of the founder," i.e., to pay the 
salaries of the master and usher, to "uphold and keep the school- 
house and buildings, and the tomb of the founder," and to 
maintain an almshouse for five old men and one old woman, as 
well as to keep the property in as good repair as the surplus 
■of yearly profits would permit. While the heirs of the founder 
were to have the actual appointment of the master and usher, 
;the college was to have the power of nomination." The Wardens 
and Fellows of New College, Oxford, were also entrusted with 
the possessions of the school at East Adderbury, with the 
revenues of which they were to keep the school in repair and to 
pay the salary of the master.''* 

At least two other Oxford Colleges were made trustees of 
vschools: Corpus Christi college was to hold in trust the lands of 
the school at Cheltenham and was to nominate master and 
usher;" while University College was deeded land to be used 
for the support of the school at Normanton.^" But the grammar 

" Carlisle, ii., 313. 

^* Deed, 1589. The case is similar to that of Thame in that, as soon 
^s they had built the schoolhouse and settled the estates, the feoffees 
were, according to the founder's will, to deed the lands to the college. 
•Carlisle, ii., 292. 

" Carlisle, i., 446. S.I.C. xv., 38. 

^^ Deed, 1592. S.I.C. xviii., 190. The following is an extract of the 
founder's will relative to this subject: 

' ' For the better ordering, government, directing, and establishing of 
this my meaning, I commit the nomination, placing, ordering, and govern- 
ment, and visitation, reformation, direction, displacing, and expulsion 
of the said schoolmaster, usher and scholars of my school at Normanton 
and of the almsfolk in my almshouse at Kirkthorpe, for the time being 
to the master of University College and Emmanual College aforesaid, 
and to the Rector of Lincoln College in Oxford and to every fellow of 
the two former said colleges by them sent for that purpose into York- 
shire and to my executors and to the Vicars of Wakefield, Pontefract, 
Leeds, Normanton, and Kirkthorpe and their successors for the time 
being, and to him or them of the scholars that have or shall be main- 
tained by me as aforesaid in either of the said universities, and toimy 
said cousin, Richard Freeston of Mendham and to his heirs for ever, or 
the more part of them that have that purpose, shall be assembled in the 



3 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

school trustees were not picked from the Oxford colleges alone; 
two at least of the Cambridge colleges acted as such trustees. 

The Master, Fellows and Scholars of Trinity college were 
made trustees of the three schools founded by the Rev. Thomas 
Allen (or Allyn) at Stone, Stevenage, and Uttoxeter, and as 
such were to pay an annual salary of twenty marks to each of 
the three masters;^' while by Letters Patent, 1572, the Principal 
and Fellows of Brasen Nose College were incorporated as gover- 
nors of the grammar school at Middleton, and as such they 
were to act as trustees of the school property and as custodians 
of rent charges from which they were to pay annually the salary 
of the master and usher." Both colleges were given power to- 
make statutes for the government of the schools as well as the 
power of appointment of masters. 

B. Government by Guilds. — The second class of corporations 
to which the possessions of some of the grammar schools were 
entrusted was composed of the various guilds. Thus, at Stepney^ 
the government of the school was placed in the hands of the 
Coopers Company;" at West Lavington, the Mercers Company 
was given the power to dismiss the master and was charged 
with the superintendence of repairs and the maintenance of 
the schoolhouse ]^* at Barton-under-Needwood the Drapers Com- 
pany had the power of appointment of master and usher ;^^ 
at Basingstoke the possessions of the School were held by the 
aldermen and wardens of the guild and fraternity of the Holy 
Ghost ;^" while in Aldenham the lands of the school and of six 
almshouses were placed under the management of the Master 
and Keeper or Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery or 
Art of Brewers of the City of London, who had the power of 
election and removal ("for sufficient reasons") of mastei and 
usher, to regulate the salaries of the same, to admit pupils into 

Church of Normanton aforesaid, and my said cousin, Richard Freeston, 
and his heirs, if the number of them be equal, having a casting vote, 
notwithstanding anything contained in my said schedule." Quoted 
in S.I.C. xviii., 191. 

^^ Deed, 1558. Carlisle, i., 553. 

" S.I.C. xvii., 339. 

33 Deed, 1552. S.I.C. x., 75. 

3^ Deed, 1542. S.I.C. xiv., 55. 

35 Deed, 1593. C.C.R. vii., 303. 

" F. J. Baigent and J. E. Millard, A History of Basingstoke, 668-69- 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 3 3 

the school, and to make statutes for the better governing of 
the school." In the case of the grammar school at Holt the 
Fishmongers Company were incorporated as "The Wardens 
and Commonalty of the Mystery of Fishmongers of London, 
Governors of the Possessions, Revenues, and Goods of the 
Free Grammar School of John Gresham, Knight, Citizen and 
Alderman of London, in Holt, otherwise Holt Market, in the 
County of Norfolk, ' '^^ with the power to make statutes with 
the advice and consent of the Bishop of Norwich and to appoint 
master and visitors of the school. ^° 

Two cases are particularly interesting as they give a hint as 
to how estates were administered by these non-resident bodies. 
They are those of Tunbridge and Oundle. In the former place 
the management of the school property was entrusted by the 
founder, Sir Andrew Judde, Knight, Citizen and Skinner of 
London, Lord Mayor of London in 1552,^^0 the Master, Wardens 
and Commonalty of Skinners in London, ^^ who as governors of 
the school had the power to, and actually did, draw up statutes 
for the government of the School. In order to increase their 
efficiency as governors, they inaugurated the custom of visiting 
the School annually in the month of May.*^ In Oundle the 
governors of the School were the Wardens of the Grocers Com- 
pany of London, ^^ who had the management of the endowment 
for the master and usher of the Grammar School and also for 
seven "Bed Men."" In this case, however, the governors 
were not to visit the school but were to pay to the "Vicar, 
Churchwardens and four of the antientest substantial parish- 
ioners of Oundle" 245. annually, which were to be used for the 

^'Statutes, 1599. S.I.C. xii., 65, also Letters Patent, 1595, Ibid 65. 
The children of the "Brewers" were to be admitted before others. 
Ibid 66. 

^* Letters Patent, 1554. C.C.R. xii., 103. 

^'Letters Patent, 1554. S.I.C. xiii., 317. 

*° Carhsle, i., 626-27. 

*^ This guild was given the patronage of the school in Market Bosworth 
by the founder, Sir Wolston Dixie, Knight, in 1592. But for some 
reason it was never accepted by the guild, and the patronage was there- 
fore transferred to the heirs of the founder. Carlisle, i., 703. 

*^ CarUsle, i., 631. 

*^ CarUsle, ii., 215. 

** Old men who occupied bed-rooms under the schoolhouse. Carlisle, 
ii., 214. 

3 



3 4 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

repair of the schoolhouse, the alms-houses, and the dwelHngs 
of the master and usher. Thus the actual care of the buildings 
was left to a committee of the most responsible inhabitants 
of the town in which the school was located. The pov/er of 
appointment and removal of master, however, was given to 
the governors.*^ 

C. Government by Town Corporations. — While our list of 
schools under the government of town corporations contains 
the names of over forty such schools, it has been possible to 
gather but little information concerning the management of 
the schools by these corporations. This information relates 
almost entirely to the care of the buildings.** Thus, in the 
Annals of Ipswich under Mar. 24, 1580, the following entry is 
to be found: "Orders touching the Grammar Schoole and 
reparacons thereof shall be referred to the Portmen to deter- 
mine and to such as they shall think meet to call to them."*^ 
The Corporation of Gloucester had the management of the funds 
of the School of St. Mary de Crypt and also had the oversight 
of all necessary repairs. For the better execution of this latter 
part of their duty the officers of the Corporation were to ' ' survey 
the schoolhouse every year between Easter and Whitsuntide," 
and for their trouble each was to receive a slight remuneration: 
the Mayor, 45.; the Recorder, ^s. 6d.; the two senior Aldermen, 
each 25.; the two Sheriffs, each 2od.; the Town Clerk, i6d.; 
the Swordbearer, i2d. ; the four Stewards, J2d. ; the four Serjeants 
at Mace, each 8d.; and the five Porters at the Gates, 4d. each.*' 
In Coventry the responsibility of keeping the property in repair 
does not appear to have been so divided. The Bailiff alone was 
to ' ' see the house kept in reparations, ' ' and was also to "gather 
up the said rents," and for these services he was to receive 265. 
8d. per annum.*' 

*^ To this list might be added St. Paul 's and Merchant Taylors, London. 

*• In the case of Yarmouth there is record of the Corporation caring 
for the comfort of the pupils by ordering in 1562 wood and coal, to be 
provided for the relief of the scholars in the winter. Manship, History 
of Great Yarmouth, ii., 368. 

■'''The Portmen, according to Camden, Britain, p. 465, were the 
twelve burgesses from whom were chosen annually two bailiffs for head 
magistrates. Nicholas Bacon, The Annals of Ipswiche, p. 323. 

** Rev. F. D. Fasbrooke, History of Gloucester, p. 302. 

*° B. Poole, Coventry: Its History and Antiquities, 248. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 3 5 

In Shrewsbury provision was made in 1571 by Indenture 
concerning the expenditure of money. Money was to be ex- 
pended by the bailiffs and schoolmaster in amounts of not more 
than ^10 at a time and its expenditure was restricted to specified 
purposes among which were the repairs of the school. The 
surplus revenues were to be employed (i) to complete the 
school buildings, (2) to build a country house to serve as a 
resort in case of plague, and (3) to found two Scholarships and 
two Fellowships for boys educated at the school.^" 

The most complete account, however, is that of the school 
at St. Albans. The actual government of this school was in 
the hands pf two governors, who were to be "honest and sub- 
stantial persons, inhabitants of the borough" and were to be 
chosen at an annual meeting of the Mayor and Burgesses at the 
Feast of All Saints. Elected at this meeting for a term of one 
year these two governors were to take an oath to perform faith- 
fully the duties of their office, which were to see that the statutes 
of the school were kept by the master and scholars of the school, 
that the school was kept in good repair, and that the master 
was paid his wages every quarter. Upon receiving his salary 
the master was to give a receipt for the money, * ' an acquintance, 
witnessing that he hath received of the said Mayor and Bur- 
gesses by the hands of the said governors ;,^5 of good and lawful 
money of England towards the payment of his wages for keep- 
ing of the said school."" These receipts were kept by the 
governors who were custodians of all the money belonging to 
the school, and were surrendered to the Mayor and Burgesses 
at the next annual meeting when the governors made a com- 
plete report of all their acts during their term of office. As 
governors, their consent was necessary for the admission of a 
new scholar as well as for leave of absence of the master," 
while together with the mayor they had the appointment of 
two visitors who were to inspect the work of the master once a 
year." They also had the power to lengthen the play time 
and to grant more than one day for play." 

^^ Staunton, The Great Schools of England, 412. 
" Statutes, quoted in Carlisle, i., 515. 
" Carlisle, i., 516. 
^Ubid., 517. 
^^Ibid., 518. 



3 6 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Among the powers not uncommonly possessed by the Corpor- 
ations was that of appointment of master and usher," while less 
common was the power to make and change the statutes of 
the school. °^ 

D. Government by Cathedral Corporations.^^ — This form of 
government is peculiar in that it was adopted by but one type 
of founder, the King." In other words, the Cathedral Schools 
of this period were royal foundations,^^ and as such were known 
as "King's Schools."^' 

With one authority responsible for their creation or lease of 
life, it is natural that the Cathedral Schools should resemble 
each other very closely in many respects.*" In form of govern- 
ment they are virtually alike." The Dean and Chapter of the 
Cathedral were governors of the Cathedral School held in con- 
nection with their Cathedral. As governors, their duties were 
the same as those governors of other types intrusted with 
annuities for the benefit of a school,"^ viz., they were to attend 



^* Cf. Appendix E. It should be noted that no hard and fast line can 
be drawn between this division and Government by Specially Incorporated 
Governors. While some of the cases given in this reference should have 
been included in this third general division of our topic, they have been 
inserted here for the sake of convenience. 

^* While, strictly speaking, the Cathedral Schools do not belong to the 
"independent schools of the reign of Elizabeth" with which the present 
study is concerned {cf. Introduction), it has nevertheless seemed necessary 
to refer very briefly to them here in order to complete the general topic 
of Government by Incorporated Trustees. 

" King Henry VIII. 

** Cf. Introduction . 

" For list of such schools see Appendix A and Appendix U. 

"* It might be said that they resemble each other in form but not in 
content. Thus a glance at the table given in Appendix U will reveal 
the fact that while the schools resemble each other in the objects for 
which their revenues were to be expended, the amounts to be expended 
differ materially. 

*' From what has just been said this would be expected. 

'^ For references cf. those given in Appendix A. To those in authority 
these amounts appear to have been considered annuities, but, according 
to Whiston, Cathedral Trusts and their Fulfilment, p. 9, they were not 
annuities, but proportionable parts of amounts derived from the revenues 
from lands with which the Cathedral was endowed. Whiston 's conten- 
tion was that as these lands increased in value and the revenues became 
larger, the parts appropriated for educational purposes ought also to 
have grown. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 3 7 

to the repairs of the building, to pay the stipends of the teaching 
staff, and to pay the scholarships to the pupils.*' While the 
Dean and Chapter had power to appoint and dismiss the teaching 
staff and to appoint scholars, the Dean alone possessed the 
power to extend the time of any boy beyond that allowed by 
the statutes of the Cathedral. '■• 

The law was that every cathedral should have within it a 
cathedral school, or should have near it a free grammar school."^ 
No cathedral school was supported by the Dean and Chapter 
of the cathedral at Norwich; in its place the Dean and Chapter 
paid ;^2o annually to the master of the city school of Norwich." 
A somewh^at similar condition existed at Lincoln. The govern- 
ing body of the school here consisted of the Town Corporation 
of Lincoln and the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
of Lincoln, an arrangement brought about in 1583 by an agree- 
ment between the two corporations." According to this agree- 
ment the Cathedral Corporation was to have the appointment 
of the master of whose salary they were to pay ;^2o; as visitors 
of the school, the Dean and Chapter were to have oversight 
of the teaching done by the master and were to attend to any 
necessary reform in his teaching. On the other hand, the Town 
Corporation was to have similar powers and duties with respect 
to the usher. 

Government by Incorporated Governors. 

While the distinguishing mark of the cases to be considered 
in this division is that of special incorporation, there are two 
distinct classes : to the first class belong the cases in which bodies 
of men already incorporated for specific purposes are again 
incorporated as governors of a grammar school, while to the 

•' Cf. Appendix U. 

'* Thus in the case of Chester Cathedral School, the boys were allowed 
four years to complete the course. This time might be increased to five 
years by special permission of the Dean. Statutes, 1544, S.I.C. xvii., 31, 
Cf. references given in Appendix A. 

*' Cf. Injunction of Edward VI. regarding Cathedral Grammar 
Schools, quoted by Carlisle, i., 488-489. 

'* This fact is revealed in the report in answer to the Articles of In- 
quiry sent out by "Archbishop Parker in 1567. Strype, Life of Parker, 

491. 493- 

" C.C.R. xxxii., pt. 5., 4. 



3 8 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

second class belong all those cases in which a distinctly new 
corporation is formed for the government of the school. The 
former class has been considered under Government by College, 
Guild, and Town Corporations."* The latter class remains, 
therefore, to be treated in the present section. 

The following table will give one an idea of the number of 
men included in these school corporations. 









Table 


No. ] 


[.«» 






I. 


II. 


I. 


II. 


I. 


II. 


I. 


IL 


2. 


2. 


7- 


I. 


13- 


I. 


20. 


3. 


4- 


4- 


8. 


2. 


14. 


I. 


24. 


3- 


5- 


2. 


lO. 


5- 


15- 


3- 


37- 


I. 


6. 


5- 


12. 


13- 


16. 


2. 


SO- 


I. 



Column I. contains number of men in Corporation. 

Column II. contains number of cases. 

In the above table containing forty -nine cases it will be noted 
that the number of men incorporated varies from two to fifty, 
the most common number being twelve. Over 67% of the cases 
lie between six and sixteen.'" 

Turning from the number to the qualifications of governors, 
we discover that the most common qualification is that the 
man be ' ' discreet and honest. ' ' Thus in Blackburn the gover- 
nors were to be men of "the most discreet and honest of the 
Inhabitants or Freeholders;"" in Hahfax they were to be 
"of the discreetest and honestest men dwelling in the same 
parish ' ' and were to be over twenty-four years of age ;" in 
St. Olave's they were to be "men of discretion and most honest 
Inhabitants ' ' of the parish ;" in Walsall they were to be "respect- 
able inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Walsall, resident 
in the same;"'* in Atherstone, "the more discreet and honest 

I "^Cf. supra, p. 32 (Brasen Nose College, Middleton), pp. 32, 33 
(Aldenham and Holt). Appendix E (Faversham, Kingston-upon-Thames, 
Richmond, Sandwich, and Stafford). 

«' The material for this table is to be found in Appendix F. 

" It should be noted in Appendix F that in a number of cases the 
number of men incorporated is not given. 

'* Letters Patent, 1567, Carlisle, i., 637. 

'* Letters Patent, 1585, Ibid, ii., 809. 

"Letters Patent, 1570, Ibid, ii., 578. 

'* Letters Patent, 1554, Ibid, ii., 499. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 3 9 

men of the town;"" in Wimborne, "of the most discreet and 
substantial Inhabitants of the Parish;"'* in Hexham the quaHfi- 
cations were the same as those of Hahfax with the exception 
of a difference in age (from 24 to 21) and the addition, in the 
case of Hexham, of "men fearing God, of good name and fame;"" 
while in Wakefield the men were to be "of the most wise, discreet, 
and religious persons," "within the parish or dwelling within 
two miles thereof."" 

In the above list of qualifications it will be noticed that the 
qualification common to all is that the governor shall be an 
inhabitant of the parish or town in which the school is located.'* 
While this was a very common qualification it did not always 
hold, as for example, in Saint Bees where two of the governors 
were always to be The Provost of Queen's College, Oxford, and 
the Rector of Egremont.'" Still other restrictions were not 
uncommon. In Crediton three of the governors were to be 
chosen from the village of Sandford." In Cranbrook,*^ Gains- 
borough,^^ Giggleswick,** and Kirkby Lonsdale,*^ the vicar was 
always to be one of the governors. In Market Bosworth the 
corporation was to consist of the rector, three church wardens, 
and six inhabitants of the parish;^' in Dronfield the Vicar and 
Guardians of the Parish Church were to be governors;" in 
Mansfield the corporation was to be composed of the vicar and 

'^Letters Patent, 1573, Ibid, ii., 616. 

"Letters Patent, 1563, Ibid, i., 385. In the case of St. Saviour the 
phrase is "discreet and creditable Inhabitants." Letters Patent, Ibid. 

ii-, 583- 

"Letters Patent, 1599, C.C.R. xxiii., 478. 

'* Letters Patent, 1592, Carlisle ii., 910. 

'° Or, as in the case of Chipping Bamet, within the county or neighbor- 
ing county. Letters Patent, 1573, S.I.C. xii., 106, 

*" Letters Patent, 1583, Carlisle, i., 152. 

*' Letters Patent, 1559, Ibid, i., 254. 

*^ Letters Patent, 1574, Ibid, i., 571. 

*^ Letters Patent, 1589, Ibid, i., 797. 

*■• Letters Patent, 1553, Ibid, ii., 801. 

'* Letters Patent, 1591, C.C.R. vii., 544. 

*' Letters Patent, 1601, Carlisle i., 752. 

*' Letters Patent, Carlisle i., 222. During any vacancy of the vicarage 
or guardians, six of the ' ' most discreet inhabitants ' ' were to be nominated 
governors protempore by the Fanshaw Family, the family of the 
Patron. 



40 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

church wardens,*^ while in Dra5^ton in Hales the church wardens 
and their successors were incorporated as " the governors of the 
possessions of the school."*' In Chelmsford the governors were 
to be male heirs of the four original governors, or in default 
of such heirs, knights residing in the County of Essex. °° A 
somewhat similar restriction existed at Worcester where the 
governors were to be chosen from the "twenty-four chief citizens 
of the city of Worcester, commonly called the Head Council."" 

The powers usually granted to these corporations were the 
right to be known by a corporate title, the right to possess and 
use a common seal, the right to sue and to be sued, the rights 
of perpetual succession and of holding and acquiring property, 
and in some cases the rights or powers of appointment of master 
and usher and of making statutes for the government of the 
school. 

The function of the corporation is generally indicated in its 
corporate title. Thus the official title of the governors of the 
grammar school at Kingston-upon-Thames was The Governors 
of the possessions, revenues, and goods of the said school commonly 
called, and to be called, the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth 
in the town of Kingston-upon-Thames in the County of Surrey. ^^ 
The part of the title which usually reads, "The Governors of 
the Possessions, Revenues, and Goods," etc., clearly indicates 
that the chief function of the corporation was the management 
of the endowments of the school. This is expressly stated in 
some of the letters patent, as for example in that of Richmond, 
1568, where the motive of granting the letters patent of incor- 
poration is ' ' that Her Majesty 's intentions might take the better 
effect and that the lands and revenues to be granted for the 
support of the school might be better governed."'^ Indeed, in 

** Letters Patent, Carlisle ii., 347. The same persons had been in- 
corporated by Philip and Mary as governors of the lands and possessions 
of the Parish Church, and the two corporations were really one, using 
the same seal and interchanging the funds. 

** Letters Patent, 1555-6, Carlisle ii., 347. 

»" Letters Patent, 1551, C.C.R. xxxii., pt. i., 586. 

*' Letters Patent, 1561, C.C.R. xix., 520. 

*'' Letters Patent. George Roots, The Charters of the Town of Kingston- 
upon-Thames, 86. 

»' Carlisle ii., 876. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 41 

some places, as in Dronfield** and in Berkhamsted/^ the man- 
agement of the possessions of the school appears to be the sole 
function of the governors. 

The right to acquire and hold land which is implicitly recog- 
nized in the title of incorporation is always explicitly stated 
in the letters patent. The value of the land which the corporation 
might hold is also generally given. Thus in 80% of the twenty 
cases of which we have data°° this annual value of land lies 
between £2>'^ and ;^4o." In not a few instances it was also 
specified in what manner the possessions were to be held. Thus 
in St. Olave 's they were not to be held ' ' by thrift or by Knight's 
Services;"*' in Market Bosworth they were not to be held by 
" Knight" s Services or in capite;"^^ while in Blackburn they 
were forbidden to be "holden of the Crown in chief. "^'"' In 
Horncastle the lands were to be held "in capiie;"^"^ while in 
Stafford they were to be held "by fealty or in free Soccage,"'"^ 
and in Birmingham "by Fealty only in free Soccage, paying 
20s. yearly into the Court of Augmentation, at the Feast of 
St. Michael, for all demands and services whatever. "^"^ In many 
<:ases also the purposes for which the revenues of the estates were 
to be expended are definitely given. Thus in the case of Bunbury 
twelve men are incorporated as "The Governors of the posses- 
sions and revenues purchased and assigned by Thomas Aldersey, 
for the mxaintenance of the free grammar school, and the preacher 

** Here the powers to appoint master and usher and to make statutes 
were not given to the governors. Letters Patent, 1579 C.C.R. xviii., 198. 

** Here the appointment of master was by the Crown while the visitors 
of the school were appointed independently of the trustees. Act of 
ParHament, Ed. VI., S.I.C, xii., 14. 

*' Data in possession of author. This list, however, includes Town 
Corporations as well as cases of "special incorporation." 

°' In the case of Nottingham the charter granted 4th Henry VIII. had 
•given the corporation power to hold land to the annual value of 20 marks, 
but in 1594 this amount was (according to the petition of the governors) 
insufficient to support and maintain the school. Upon the petition of 
the governors this amount was raised to £40 by letters patent. C.C.R. 
XX., 387. 

*' Letters Patent, 1570, Carlisle ii., 772. 

"Letters Patent, 1601, Ibid, i., 753. 

i"" Letters Patent, 1567, Ibid, i., 637. 

^"Letters Patent, 1571, Ibid, i., 817. 

'"^Letters Patent, 1572, Ibid, ii., 491. 

'"^ Letters Patent, 1552, Ibid. 621. 



42 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

of the divine word, and the relief of the poor in the parish of 
Bunbury ;' '^"^ in the case of Wantage the men were incorporated 
as governors of the town lands of Wantage, for the relief of the 
poor of the town, for the repair of highways, and for the main- 
tenance of the schoolmaster ji"^ while in the case of Wimborne 
Minster, estates of an annual value of ;^89 185. were granted 
to the governors of the school, £40 of which were to be paid 
as rental to the Crown and the balance to support a schoolmaster, 
three priests, and three clerks.'"® The cases thus far quoted 
have been those in which the income was to be applied to 
religious, philanthropic, or civic purposes as well as to the 
support of the school ; but there are not a few instances in which 
the revenues were to be applied only to educational purposes. 
Thus, in Gainsborough'"^ and Stourbridge all issues and revenues 
were to be applied to the support of the master and usher and 
'to no other uses whatever;''"^ similarly in St. Olave's all issues 
and revenues were to be used for the maintenance of the master 
and under master, towards "sustaining House and Buildings 
of the School" and "to no other use;"'"* in Sedbergh all clear 
yearly rents were to be " expended and laid out and converted 
to the wages and for sustaining the master and usher of our 
school and to no other use whatsoever;""" in the case of Col- 
chester it was one of the duties of the Bishop of London as visitor 
of the school at Colchester to see that the revenues were being 
used for the maintenance of the school and master;'" while 
in Nottingham it is specifically stated in the Letters Patent 
that the income of the school was to be devoted to the support 
of the school and the support, maintenance, and defence of 
its property."^ 

With the power or right to hold property went the duty to- 
manage that property for the school, and so the letters patent 

'"^Letters Patent, 1594, C.C.R. x., 193. 

'"* Act of Parliament, 1597. S.I.C. xi., 432. 

'""Letters Patent, 1563. C.C.R. xxx., 53. 

'"'Letters Patent, 1589, C.C.R. xxxii., pt. 4., 441. 

'"* Letters Patent, 1583, Carlisle ii., 772. There was a similar provision! 
in the case of Market Bosworth, Letters Patent, 1601, Carlisle i., 753. 

"'Letters Patent, 1570, Ibid, ii., 579. 

"" Royal Charter quoted in Piatt, Sedbergh Grammar School, 57. 

'"Letters Patent, 1584, Carlisle i., 425. 

'"'Letters Patent, 1594, C.C.R. xx., 387. The right to sue and to be- 
sued was one of the privileges given to the corporation, cj. supra p. 39. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 45 

not only gave the power or right, but also made provisions 
for the management among which were those made for the 
constitution or internal organization of the corporations. In 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne the master and scholars were made a 
corporation with the usual powers while the Town Corporation 
was made patron of the school with the power to appoint the 
master."^ In Guisbrough the corporation was to consist of 
two wardens, one schoolmaster, and twelve poor persons; 
the wardens were to be chosen for one year by the founders 
or their heirs, the retiring wardens, and the schoolmaster, who 
was also to be appointed by the founders or their heirs within 
twenty 4^ys after vacancy occurred, while the twelve poor 
persons, six of each sex, the women to be at least 63 years of 
age and to have been inhabitants of Guisbrough for at least 
three years, were to be elected by the founders or their heirs 
within the specified twenty days after any vacancy occurred; 
in cases of non-appointment of master or poor persons within 
the specified time the right was to lapse to the two wardens, 
who were to appoint within the next twenty days or to forfeit 
the power to a Robert Rokely of Marck in Cleveland or his 
heirs; but in any case the election to the corporation was to be 
made public."* The corporation of the school at Chelmsford 
gained the title of "The Knight School Corporation" from the 
fact that the original members appointed by the Crown were 
knights and that the government was settled in their families 
forever; the heir of a deceased member was to be chosen as his- 
successor, while, in case of no heir being left by the deceased, 
a knight whose family live in the County of Essex was to be 
chosen, while in case of all of the governors dying without male 
issue, four men from the Order of Knights were to be chosen 
by the Bishop of the Diocese to act as governors of the school."^ 
As a rule, however, there were not the restrictions in the consti- 
tution of the corporations just quoted; generally what restric- 
tions there were were of the character of the qualifications 
which have already been noted."* 

"^Letters Patent, 1600, Carlisle ii., 254, and Brand, Newcastle-upon' 
Tyne, Vol. i., 88. 

"* Statutes, 1561, C.C.R. viii., 725. 

'"Letters Patent, 1552, Carlisle i., 411-12. In 1818 three of the- 
govemors bore the names of three of the original governors. 

"•Q. supra, p. 38!!. 



44 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Before proceeding to a consideration of the internal organiza- 
tion of the corporations let us note briefly some of the provisions 
taken for the perpetuation of the bodies of governors. While 
in the case of Bunbury the nomination of governors was given 
to the Master and Wardens of the Haberdashers Company,"' 
this is an exceptional case for, as it has before been noted,"' 
the corporations were generally given the power of self-per- 
petuation or of perpetual succession."' Thus in Wantage 
vacancies caused by death or removal were to be supplied by a 
majority of the remainder, i^" In at least one case men outside 
of the corporation participated in the election of new members ; 
in St. Savior in Southwark the new governor was to be elected 
by the governors and by twelve of the "discreet and creditable 
inhabitants" of the parish who had been chosen by the governors 
for that purpose. ^21 In some places the new governors were 
to be elected within a specified time. In HaHfax'" and Crediton"' 
this time was to be within one month, in St. Bees,^^* Worcester, i" 
and Wakefield, ^26 within six weeks, after the occurrence of the 
vacancy. Further provision was made for failure to elect 
within specified time. In Hahfax the election was to go with 
consent of two of the governors to the Archbishop of York, or, 

*'^ Letters Patent, 1594, C.C.R. x., 193. 

^'* Cf. supra, p. 40. 

"' The case of Houghton le Spring is only an apparent exception, for 
while here the governors were to be appointed by Heath and Gilpin, 
these two men were the first governors of the school as well as the founders. 
(Carhsle i., 404.) 

i^"Act of Parliament, 1597, S.I.C. xi., 432. Here as in other places 
the corporation had the right to remove one of its members for reasonable 
cause. 

"'Letters Patent, 1562, Carlisle ii., 583. 

"^ Letters Patent, 1585, Carlisle ii., 809; also C.C.R. xviii., 569. 

'^'Letters Patent, 1559, Carlisle i., 254. 

'^* Statutes, 1583, Carlisle i., 155. Should any person elected within 
six weeks refuse to serve, another election was to be held in the chamber 
within six weeks after the receipt of the refusal, and in default of such 
election the appointment was to be by the Bishop of Chester. 

'"Letters Patent, 1561, C.C.R. xix., 520. 

"' Upon the death or removal of any of the governors the rest were 
to ' ' take unto them the schoolmaster and to nominate another in his 
place within six weeks after such vacancy." Letters Patent, 1592. 
Carlisle ii., 910— ri. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 45 

in his absence, to the Dean of the Cathedral Church of York."^ 
In Wakefield the Lord President of the North Parts, or the 
Archbishop of York with the consent of six of the governors 
was to appoint. ^^' In St. Bees,'^' Atherstone,^^'* and Spalding'"' 
the power of appointment was to be forfeited to the Bishop 
of the Diocese in which the town was situated. 

The newly elected governor was in some places required to 
take an oath of office. Such an oath was required in Wakefield 
before the governor entered upon his duties, "^ while in Hartle- 
bury he was not admitted until he had taken such an oath."' 
The oath prescribed by the lord of Chester for the Governors 
of the Free School of Hawkeshead reads as follows: 

"I, B.>C., doe sweare that I haue not giuen Any thing, nor 
haue indirectly laboured, to be Made Gournr of this Schoole, 
And I will Diligently and faithfully to the uttermost of myne 
Ability keep by my selfe and cause to be keept by others (as 
much as I can) inviolably All these Statutes, and I will not 
doe any act at Any tyme which I shall knowe, beleeue, or thike 
wilbe preiudiciall to the good of the said Schoole, And I will 
not Appropriate convert or Apply to myne use, or to the use 
of any of myne, any part of the profittes of the Revenewes 
giuen to the said Schole, But will doe my best to improue and 
increase them to the best Aduantage of the Schoole, Schoolemrs 
and Ushers in ppetuity, and to such Ends onely as are sett 
downe in the foundation, and in these present Statutes, and 
noe otherwse."*^* 

The duties of the individual governor depended to a great 
extent upon the internal organization of the corporation of 
which he was a member. In Ashborne the corporation was 
to be organized into "Governors" and "Assistant Governors;" 
the "Governors of the Revenues" were to be elected by the 



"^ Carlisle ii., 809. 

"' Ibid, ii., 910-11. 

i"76«f. i., 155. 

*'" Letters Patent, 1573, C.C.R. xxix., 956. 

"* Letters Patent, 1588. This the Bishop failed to do in the middle 
of the 17th century when in consequence the body became extinct C.C.R, 
xxxii., pt. 4., 113. 

*^^ Carlisle ii., 910-11. 

"' Statutes, Carlisle ii., 762. 

^^* Statutes, 1588, quoted in Cowper's Hawkeshead, p. 486. 



46 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

governors and assistants from the "Assistants," while the latter 
were to be chosen ' ' ex discretioribus et magis idoneis viris ' ' of 
the Parish,'" while in Seven Oaks the corporation was to be 
composed of two Wardens and four Assistants.*" In these 
cases as in the case of Guisbrough already quoted,'" it is very- 
probable that the real work of the corporation was done by the 
wardens or chief governors. More detailed information with 
respect to other instances supports this view. Thus in the 
case of Dedham the annual meeting of the governors was to be 
held on All Souls Day; at this meeting the governors were to 
elect from their number two "collectors" who were to collect 
the rents of the school lands, to pay therewith the salary of the 
master, and to render an account at the next annual meeting, 
at which no business was to be transacted until a quorum were 
present and in which a governor might vote by proxy provided 
his vote were given to another governor under his hand and 
seal."* In Atherstone, according to the statutes made in 1607, 
it had been the custom to elect at the annual meeting two 
members to act as bailiffs and in that capacity to take charge 
of the financial affairs of the school, with power to call extra 
meetings of the governors whenever such meeting seemed 
necessary to them;"' while in Hexham the governors at their 
annual meeting at or within four days after the feast of St. 
Michael elected from their number two "stewards of the school" 
who were to collect and manage all the revenues, to pay the 
salaries of master and usher, and at the next meeting to render 
account to the governors in the presence of the master of moneys 
received and expended; the master was then to receive the 
surplus money and "perfect notes" of arrears which were to be 

13S Were the vacancies not filled within one month after their occurrence, 
the Bishop of Coventry and Lichtfield might appoint a Governor from 
the Assistants, or an Assistant from the inhabitants. Letters Patent, 
Carlisle i., 207-8. 

"'Letters Patent, 1560. These governors also had charge of from 
13 to 20 poor people whom they lodged in certain cottages provided for 
that purpose. Carlisle i., 619. 

"' Cf. supra, p. 43. 

"* C.C.R. xxvii., 217. At this meeting two other collectors were to be 
chosen to manage the income of the land devoted to the poor. (Statutes, 

I579-) 

"» C.C.R. xxix., 957. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 47 

•collected by the newly elected stewards but were to be paid as 
part of the salary of the year in which they were due ; the accounts 
were to be again audited in the presence of the master by the 
commissary of Hexamshire at his next court which was held 
after the feast of St. Michael."" 

While in the cases just considered a large share of the work 
appears to have been delegated to two or more men, in the 
cases of St. Bees, Hawkeshead, and Rivington the duties are 
■delegated to one man.'" 

In St. Bees the Governors were to hold an annual meeting 
in the forenoon of Tuesday or Thursday after Easter Week. 
At this meeting the statutes were to be read to them by the 
schoolmaster or usher. After the reading of the statutes they 
were to elect the Receiver of the Revenues for the following 
year, to view the buildings and to take account of the imple- 
ments belonging thereto, to "look whether the same be clean 
and decently kept" and "to appoint repairs." A dinner was 
to be provided by the retiring Receiver of the Revenues, who 
was to allow for this purpose 135. ^d. Occasionally an election 
of a new member or governor was held at this meeting; but 
when this could not be arranged, the Receiver was to allow 
6s. Sd. for the cost of the dinner on the day of election. "^ The 
exact minutes of the annual meetings were to be kept by the 
schoolmaster or usher "in a book for that purpose, with the 
date and year of the same, in the presence of the said Governors, 
who before their departure were to "subscribe their names or 
marks unto the same. ""^ 

From the above it will be seen that the Governors as a body 
did not bother themselves about the details of management. 



""Letters Patent, 1600, C.C.R. xxiii., 479. Provision was also made 
at Guisbrough for the annual auditing of the accounts of the wardens. 
Statutes, 1561. C.C.R. viii., 725. 

"1 The case of Louth might be added. Here there were to be one 
Warden and six Assistants; the former was to be elected for a term of 
one year by the Assistants, while the latter were to be chosen from the 
inhabitants of the town by the remaining Assistants within twenty 
days after the occurrence of a vacancy. Letters Patent, 1552. Carlisle 
i.. 823. 

"^ It would seem from this that not as large an attendance was expected 
upon this occasion as upon that of the annual meeting. 

"' Statutes, 1583, Carlisle i., 155. 



48 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Attention to these was left to the Receiver of the Revenues of 
the school, who, elected at the annual meeting for a term of one 
year, was required to give bond and received for his services 
205. per annum. His duties were to attend to the repairs 
ordered by the governors, to collect the revenues of the school, 
to pay the stipends of the master and usher as well as all other 
necessary bills, to notify the Governors of a special meeting, to 
notify the Bishop of Chester in case of failure in the election 
of a new Governor, and to inform the Provost of Queen's College^ 
Oxford, when a vacancy in the mastership occurred, and upon 
default of appointment of a new master by that official to notify 
the Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, of the vacancy at 
Saint Bees.*^^ 

In Hawkeshead the governors were to elect every year one- 
of their number "to Collecte, and gather upp all the Rents, 
Revenewes, yssues, and pfitts" of the Messuages, lands, tene- 
ments, conveyed by the founder, Archbishop Sandys, "for the 
mayntenaunce of the said Scholemaster, usher and Schole."' 
Before entering upon his duties the person so elected was to 
"enter into bonde by obligation" to the other governors, with 
one or two sufficient sureties to be "bounde with him or them, 
to make a juste, and trewe accompt, pamente, and satisfaction" 
to the governors "for the time being," of all the money entrusted 
to him as custodian. Such an "accompt" was to be made by 
him whenever the majority of the governors so desired. Should 
he refuse to grant the request, it was to be lawful "to depose 
and dysplace suche pson soe offendinge from his office, or place 

of gouernor of the said schole, accordinge to ther good dyscrea- 
tions. "^*5 

In the cases thus far quoted the "collector," "warden," "stew- 
ard, or "governor" has been elected without respect to any 
particular order. The custom at Rivington was to be somewhat 
different as the following extract from the statutes of the school 
make evident: 

"Every Governour shall his year about in course, beginning 
at the Eldest first, take charge of all goods, tenements, and 
lands belonging to the School, — He shall also receive the rents 
and other money due for that year, — and further shall pay the 

"* Statutes, 1583, Carlisle i., 156. 

*" From statutes (1588) quoted in full in Cowper's Hawkeshead, 483, 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 49 

Schoolmaster and Usher their wages, and such other charges 
as shall go out for that year, — And for the true dealing therein, 
he shall at his entering put into the rest of the Governors' 
hands, an Obligation of double the value of that he shall re- 
ceive; — and he shall not receive his Obligation again, until he 
have made a full accompt and payment of his receipts and laid 
into the common chest*^' what money soever shall remain un- 

*^' The "common chest" appears to have been an important part of the 
possessions of the schools. Its important character, its prominent 
characteristics, and its function will be seen from the following notes 
about it from various sources. 

In Hawkeshead the ' ' Statuts, Constytucons, and Ordinaunces, touch- 
inge, Concminge, appteyninge, or belonginge to the said grammer Schole ' ' 
together wi,th "the Queens Maties Letters Patents, conteyninge the 
ffoundacon of the said ffree grammer Schole, And all the Evidences 
chers, writings, escripts, and munymts ' ' were to be kept in ' ' one stronge 
and substanciall Chyste, wth three stronge Lockes and Keyes of thre 
scurall fashons and makings to the same ' ' which was ordered to "be 
made and placed in some convenient place in the foresaid Scholehowse. " 
Of the three keys just mentioned, the schoolmaster was to have one and 
two of the governors were to have one each. The chest was not to be 
opened without the consent of these three. (Statutes, 1588, quoted in 
Cowper's Hawkeshead, 484.) 

In Hartlebury the following statute was made concerning the chest: 
"Also, that for the preservation of the evidences and writings concerning 
the said school, one strong chest or coffer with four locks and keys be pro- 
vided, wherein shall be kept all the said writings. Which chest shall stand 
in the Vestry of the Parish Church of Hartlebury, the doors of which Vestry 
shall be locked with two locks, all of which keys shall be committed to 
the custody of six of the said Governors to be chosen by the residue." 
In this chest were also to be kept the Common Seal and the book of 
Register in which were to be recorded and registered ' ' all grants and 
copies, the decease of the Governors, the election of new Governors, and 
the accompts of the Collectors." (Statutes, 1565, Carlisle ii., 761). 

The following information is contained in the Founder's Statutes for 
the school at St. Bees: "The Chest wherein the said Casket, the Register 
Book, this Book of Statutes and other Evidences, together with the said 
Stock, shall be kept, shall have three several Locks and the keys thereof 
shall be kept by three of the Wardens, so as no one Man shall have two 
of the said Keys in his Custody at once, neither shall any one of them 
suffer his Key to be used in his absence, but in extreme necessity, and 
then he shall commit the same to some other of the Wardens that hath not 
a Key. — This Chest shall always remain in the aforesaid Chamber, the 
Door whereof shall have two strong Locks and the Keys of the said Locks 
shall be kept, the one by the Receiver, the other by the Schoolmaster, 
who upon his Departure shall deliver his Key to one of the Wardens that 

4 



50 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

spent of that his year, — And he prove not to have dealt truly 
toward the School, the forfeit of his Obligation shall be taken: ' '"^ 

The conduct of the governor while serving as chief adminis- 
trator was subject to keen scrutiny, as the following statute 
indicates : ' ' And because the other Governors may the better 
spie his upright dealing, they shall call for and he shall make 
afore them, twice in the year, at Midsummer and Christmas, or 
within ten days next following, a true accompt, both of what he 
hath received and paid,^ — and if he be fpund to have paid any- 
thing, without all the Governors' consen(t, or four of them at 
least, besides himself, — except it be the Master and Usher 
wages, — or otherwise to deal untruly with the Tenants, or elsewhere 
touching the School matters, he shall be put out of the number 
of Governors for ever, and one other chosen in his roome. "'^* 

The results of our study of the internal organization of some 
of the school corporations may be summarized as follows: In 
a large number of cases the corporation met annually. At this 
annual meeting the general business of the corporation was 
transacted and a "collector," "bailiff," "steward," or "warden" 
(in some cases two or three) was elected for a term of one year. 
The duties of this officer (or officers) appear to have been of 
merely a clerical nature and included the collection and dis- 
pensing of the revenues of the school according to the will of 
the corporation, and the care of the property, for both of which 
he was responsible to the corporation to whom he was com- 
pelled to render account. In none of the cases contained in 
our material does this officer appear to have been granted 
initiative powers, such as the power to sell and acquire land or 
to demise the same. These powers appear to have been retained 
by the governors. Such at least was the case in Rivington 
where this matter was treated in the following statutes : * ' The 
Governors shall not make any lease of any lands belonging to 
the School, for more years than Twenty one, or for three lives 
at the most, — nor let more leases forth at once than one, — nor 
renew any leases, until the old leases be forfeited or surren- 
dered, or expired within four years. 

is not Receiver, to be kept by him until there is a new Schoolmaster." 
(Statutes, 1585, quoted in Carlisle i., 160.) 

"' Statutes, Carlisle i., 715. 

"'Statutes, Carlisle i., 715. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 5 1 

"They shall never seal anything with their Common Seal, 
except Four of the Governors agree to it at the least, — And if 
it be for putting away any lands, they shall not seal anything 
without the consent of all Six Governors, — and that only on 
this condition, to buy as much good land or better as they put 
away, and that not to be done without the advice of Six other of 
the discreetest men dwelling within the Towns of the Corporation, 
or the other Towns next adjoining. ' ''^» 

The statutes just quoted contain not only information con- 
cerning the leasing and sale of land but also concerning the use 
of the Common Seal,'*" which, as we have noted before,*" was 
one of the powers granted to the corporation. In Saint Bees 
the following statute deals with the safekeeping and use of the 
Common Seal: "Whereas her Majesty hath appointed the 
said Wardens to have a Common Seal for ever, to be used in 
their Affairs as need shall require, we will that the said Seal be 
kept in a little Casket with a Lock and within the said Chest,'" 
and the Schoolmaster shall keep the Key thereof, — which 
at his departure from the School, he shall leave with the Receiver. 
— ^The said Seal shall not be set to any Instrument or Grant, 
but in the presence and with the consent of the more part of the 
said Governors, and in the presence of the Schoolmaster, who 
shall immediately after the Sealing lock up the same again."'" 
The powers and duties of the governors which we have thus 
far considered have been financial or custodial in their nature. 

""Statutes, Carlisle i., 715. 

"" A large number of prints of these seals are given in Carlisle 's En- 
dowed Grammar Schools. The following description of the seal of the 
school at Hawkeshead is taken from Cowper's Hawkeshead, 176. 

"It is of silver, of massive work, with a diameter of two and one-half 
inches; the engraved design is curious and of great interest. In the 
center upon a large arm chair, we see seated the schoolmaster, cap on 
the head, and magnificent with a long flowing robe. With his left hand 
raised he admonishes the poor little knickerbockered pupil who with open 
book stands trembling before him, while with his right hand he brandishes 
the formidable birch rod. On the master's right are the arms of the 
See of York, and on his left, the family arms of Sandys (the family of the 
fotinder) while above on a tablet is the motto "Docendo Discimus" and 
on a scroll surrounding the figures, 'Sigullum Liberae Scholae Gramatic 
Edwyni Sandes Eboracensis Archispiscopi Eundatoris. ' ' ' 

'" Cf. supra, p. 40. 

^"Cf. supra, footnote 146, p. 49. 

"'Statutes, 1583, quoted in Carlisle i., 160. 



5 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

There remain to be considered those which partake of a more 
educational executive character. The power to make statutes 
for the governing of the school might be considered as the 
transitional power for the statutes were usually to contain 
provision not only for the better governing of the estates of the 
school, but also for the improvement of the master and scholars. 
It should be noted, however, that this power was hedged by 
the condition that the statutes were to be made with the advice 
of some other person, usually the bishop of the diocese.'" 

As the subject of appointment and dismissal of master and 
usher will be treated in the next chapter,'" it will be sufhcient 
here to note that not a few of the corporations had the power 
to appoint and dismiss their staff upon good reason,'" but that 
in some cases the advice and consent of some outside person 
was necessary in the choice of master and usher.'" Similar 
remarks might be made concerning the power to admit pupils 
which was possessed by some of the corporations.'" But of a 
more distinctly educational nature than the powers thus briefly 
noticed was the duty of supervision or examination of the 
master's work. How generally this duty was performed by 
the governors themselves cannot be estimated from the data 
contained in our material. But two cases, St. Bees and Hawkes- 
head, are mentioned. In Hawkeshead the governors or the 
greater part of them were "at leaste twyse eurie yeare and soe 
often besydes as neede shall require, vysitt the said Schole 
and shall make dyligent inquirie from time to time whether 
the Scholemaster, usher, and Schollers of the said Schole doe 
ther dewtie as becometh them or noe ; ' ' and if they found 

'** The fact that so much of the material for the present study has been 
obtained from copies and extracts of the statutes of the various grammar 
schools warrants the brief summary treatment of the subject of statutes, 
given in Appendix V., in which are considered such questions as the 
authority by which they were made, their authors, their aim, general 
view of provisions, and means taken for their preservation. Cf. Appen- 
dix V. 

'"C/. infra. 62ff., 8 iff. 

'" Cf. Appendix F. 

'" Cf. infra, 64. Thus in St. Olaves the appointment of Master and 
Undermaster was to be made with the advice of the Bishop of Winchester, 
or, in his absence with the advice of "some honest and learned man." 
(L. P. 1570). Carlisle ii., 578. 

'" Cf. infra, 129. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 53 

* ' aniethinge amysse or out of Order, ' ' they were to ' ' redresse 
and amende the same putche or soe sone" as they could con- 
veniently do so.'" Among the duties of the governors of the 
school board at St. Bees was the following: "They shall also 
with the assistance of some godly and learned man examine 
the diligence and good behavior of the schoolmaster and see 
how his scholars do profit under him and whether he perform 
his Duty in bringing them up in Learning and in the fear of 
God or no, " did they find him " notoriously negligent or given 
to grievous crime" they were to remove him.'"* 

The case just quoted may be regarded as a transition case 
between the visitation by the governors and the visitation by one 
to whom the power of visitor had been delegated. In the case 
of St. Alban's the change is complete. Here the school was to 
be visited annually by two learned men chosen once a year by 
the Mayor and Governors to visit the school and to examine 
the scholars in order that it might be discovered "how the 
scholars have profited in learning and how the schoolmaster 
hath done his duty in teaching them, and observed the Rules 
prescribed."'" 

While in Halsted the Governors of Christ Hospital were 
appointed visitors of the school at Halsted,'" yet the office of 
visitor seems to have been monopolized by the college and 
church. Thus at Bungay'" the Masters and Fellows of Emman- 
uel College, Cambridge, while at Bedford the "Wardens and 
Fellows of New College" were appointed visitors;"* at Berk- 
hampstead this office was held by the Warden of the College 
of All Souls, Oxford;'" while in New Port the Master of Cajus 
College, Cambridge, or his deputy, was made visitor by the 
will of the founder.'" In Bunbury a preacher was to be visitor,'" 

'*' Statutes quoted in Cowper's Hawkeshead, 483, 
""Statutes, 1583, quoted in Carlisle i., 155-6. 
'*' Statutes, 1570, quoted in Carlisle i., 517. 

'*^ Deed of Lady Mary Ramsay, 1594, C.C.R. xxxii., pt. i., 754. 
"^Statutes, 1591, S.I.C. xiii., 135. 

"* Letters Patent, 1552, Carlisle i., 1. The Warden of the same college 
was made visitor of the school at Thame. Deed, 1574, Carlisle ii., 314. 
"^ Act of Parliament, 1549-50. Carlisle i., 534. 
'"Deed, 1588. Carlisle i., 437. 
'" Statutes, 1594, S.I.C. xvii., 23. 



54 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

while in Colchester that office was to be held by the Bishop of 
London,^'* and in Yarm by the Archbishop of York."' 

The powers and duties of visitors varied greatly. In Bunbury 
the preacher was to examine the school twice a year and to 
report to the governors anything which required to be amended.""* 
In Colchester the Bishop was to cause the revenues of the pos- 
sessions to be employed in the maintenance and support of the 
school and master, "^ as well as to supervise both school and 
masters.'" In Thame'" and in Berkhamstead"* the visitor 
was to visit the school at least once in three years, and in the 
latter case he had power to dismiss the master and usher for not 
doing their duty and was to receive for his visitation 135. 4^."' 
In Newport the visitor was to "set down such orders and rules 
as he thought convenient'"" while in the case of Bedford the 
visitors had the power of appointment of master and usher'" 
although it appears that the master and usher were actually 
appointed by the corporation.'". 

Such were some of the provisions for the supervision of the 
masters and ushers whose importance makes necessary a de- 
tailed study of the subject of the teaching staffs of the grammar 
schools in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

'"Letters Patent, 1584. C.C.R. xxxii., pt. 1., 526. 
""Letters Patent, 1588. Carlisle ii., 915. 
'"Statutes, C.C.R. x., 194. 
"'Letters Patent, 1584. Carlisle i., 424. 
'"Letters Patent, 1584. C.C.R. xxxii., pt. 1., 526. 
'"Deed, 1574. Carlisle ii., 314. 
"* Carlisle i., 534. 

'" At Sutton Valence £4 were allowed for the annual visitation. 
Letters Patent, 1576. S.I.C. xi., 97. 
"' Carlisle i., 437. 

'" Letters Patent, 1552. Carlisle i., 1. 
'"C.C.R. vi., 5. 



CHAPTER III 

THE TEACHING STAFF OF THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

The subject of the present chapter will be treated under the 
following topics: Size of Staff, Qualifications, Appointment, 
Term of Office, Removal, Stipend, and Duties and Conduct in 
Office. 

Size of Staff 

The teaching staff of the average English Grammar School 
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth was not a very large body; in 
many cases is consisted of but one person,^ a master, " peda- 
gogue "^or " ludimagister;"' but in not a few cases the staff 
consisted of two, the master, ' ' Hyghe Maister, "3 " Chief Schoole 
Maister, "^ or " Arckididascalus,"^ and the usher, "under- 
master, " " submaster, " " Surmaister, "" " Hypodidascalus, ' "' 
or "Ostiarius, "^ while cases of staffs of three or more were very 
rare.' 

Qualifications of Master and Usher 

For the sake of clearness of exposition it will be best to treat 
the qualifications of ushers before those of masters. For reasons 

* The master of the school at Rugby had the title of ' ' Schoolmaster 
of Lawrence Sheriffe of London, Grocer," Staunton, The Great Public 
Schools of England, 351, and Rouse, History of Rugby, 35. x 

^ Terms commonly used in the Letters Patent of this period. 1 

*Term used in the Statutes of St. Paul's School (cf. CarHsle, ii., 71), 
and of the Merchant Taylors' School (cf. Carlisle, ii., 50). 

*Term used by the master at Wellingborough in 1597 in reference to 
himself {cf. Carlisle, ii., 227). 

^ Term occurs in the Statutes of Westminster School (cf. Staunton, 
The Great Public Schools of England, 133). 

* Term used in the Statutes of St. Paul 's School. 

^ Term occurs in the Statutes of Westminster School. 

* Term used in the rules of the school at Manchester {cf. S. I. C, xvii., 

314). 

» St. Paul's after 1602 had a staflf of three, the office of ' Under-Usher ' 
being substituted for that of Chaplain {cf. Staunton, The Great Public 
Schools of England, 187). Merchant Taylors' School was to have a staff 
of four, a High Master, a Chief Usher, and two Under Ushers (cf . Statutes, 
Carlisle, ii., 53). Shrewsbury had a staff of four (cf. Appendix L). 



5 6 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

which will be noted later'" not much material concerning the 
qualifications of ushers is to be found and the qualifications 
given are generally rather indefinite. Thus in Rivington the 
usher was to be "a learned and honest man;"" in Thame, 
"an honest and discreet person, sufficiently enabled with 
learning;"''' in Saint Bees, some poor scholar "that under- 
standeth his grammar and can write a reasonable hand;"*' 
while in Kirkby Stephen ' ' one of the poorest borne in the 
parish," "so that he be adorned with virtue and learning;"'* 
in the case of Merchant Taylors' School the chief usher was to 
be "some sober, discreet man, verteous in lyving, and well 
learned, some single or wedded man, or a priest that hath noe 
benefice with cure, office, nor service, that may lett his due 
diligence in the Schoole;"'" in Hexham the usher was to be 
"a sober discreet person," "a professor of true religion,"^' 
"furnished both with Latin and Greek,"" and "able to read 
lectures in the master's absence;"'* while in Aldenham he was 
to "be and continue a single man, of good life and conversation, 
able at least to teach the introduction to grammar and inferior 
Latin books for the first two forms ' ' as well as to " teach English 
books and fair writing and ciphering and casting of accounts. "*" 
The information concerning the qualifications of masters is 
more complete. In our treatment of this phase of the topic we 

'" One apparent reason is that there were a less number of ushers than 
masters, but for other and more important reasons see Infra, p. 76, 
footnote 216). 

" Carlisle, i., 716. 

"Indenture, 1574. Carlisle, ii., 313. 

'^ Statutes. Carlisle, i., 157. Similarly in Burford it was provided 
that the master appoint some of his scholars ' ' to instruct such as do 
learn the Accidence until a salary can be given to maintain an usher ' ' 
(W. Monk, History of Burford, 133). 

'* Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 717. 

'° Statutes, Carlisle, ii., 53. Note similarity to Statutes of St. Paul's 
School which read, "some man vertuose in livinge, and well lettered, 
some single man or wedded, or a Preste that hath no benefice with cure, 

nor service that may let his due diligence in the Scole, a man hoole 

in body." — Statutes, Quoted in Staunton and in Carlisle, ii., 73. 

" In Ipswich the usher was to be approved ' ' for his learning and 
religion." — Nathll Bacon, The Annals of Ipsche, 331. 

" Requirement not at all common. 

" Statutes, 1600. C. C. R., xxiii., 478. 

'•Founder's Statutes, 1595. S. I. C, xii., 67. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 5 7 

shall proceed from the consideration of qualifications of secondary- 
importance, such as those relating to place of birth, locality, 
age, marriage, and bodily condition, to the consideration of 
those of primary importance, such as moral, religious, and 
scholastic requirements. 

In two instances at least, the candidate was to have been 
"born in certain counties: in St. Bees, "within the Counties of 
Cumberland, York, Westmorland, or Lancaster;"^" in Kirkby 
Lonsdale, "in Westmorland, Yorkshire, or Lancashire;"" 
while in a third instance, that of Guisbrough, the master was to 
"be "no Scot, or Stranger born."" In Shrewsbury the master 
was to be selected from among the burgesses, if one could be 
found fit for the post; if not, then a native of Shropshire was to 
be chosen ; or in default thereof, ' ' a sufficient man ' ' born in 
any other county or shire, preference to be given persons educated 
in the school at Shrewsbury." 

In the few instances in which we have information concerning 
the age requirement it is rather high. Thus in Hexham the 
master was to be at least 26 years of age,'* in Thame from 26 
to 60," and in Cheltenham" and Witton" at least 30 years of 
age ; in Witton he was to be at least of that age ' ' to the end that 
■experience may appear in his conversation and life and that 
more obedience may be used towards him for the same."" 

With respect to the question of marriage there is but little 
information. In St. Paul's,'" Merchant Taylors','" Abingdon" 
and St. Mary Overey, the master might be "a wedded man" or 
^ ' a single man. ' '" In Guisbrough the master was to be a priest, 
or, if such could not be obtained, "then a Layman, being un- 
married;" if he married after being admitted to his office, his 

'"Archbishop Grindall's Statutes. Carhsle, i., 156. 

'^Letters Patent, 1591. C. C. R., vii., 545. 

" Statutes, Carlisle, ii., 806, and S. I. C, xviii., 530. 

''Indenture, 1571. Staunton, The Great Public Schools, 412. 

'* Statutes, 1600. C. C. R., xxiii., 478. 

"Statutes, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 266. 

"Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., 33. 

'^Founder's Statutes. Carhsle, i., 130. 

^8 Ibid. 

"Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 71. 

'"Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 50. 

^' "Priest or wedded man." Deed, 1562. S. I. C. xi., 396. 

^'Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 584. 



58 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

position was thereby forfeited." Similarly in Manchester" and 
Witton the master was to be "unmarried. "^^ 

But little is said concerning the physical qualifications required 
of candidates. In Oundle," Merchant Taylors'," and St. Paul's 
the master was to be "a man hoole in body," " while in St. 
Mary Overey the expression used, "holy in body,"^® would 
lead one to suspect that even in these few cases the qualification 
was a moral or religious one rather than purely physical. 

Statements of moral qualifications are more frequent, although 
in most cases less specific than many of the qualifications thus- 
far noted. Such phrases as the following indicate their general 
nature : "of good report, "^" " well reported of, "^' " sober, 
discreet and undefamed,"" "a meet person, ""'' "an honest 
and mete man,"" "fit and honest,"" "an honest and discreet 
person,"*' "an honest person, sad and discreet,"*^ "an honest, 
sadde and discreete man,"** "honest and virtuous,"*' and 
"honest in conditions and living."^" 

More specific than the moral qualifications just quoted are 
the statements of religious requirements of candidates. In 
Woodstock the master was to be " a good preacher of the word 
of God;"" in Oundle, "meet for his learning and dexterity in 
teaching and right understanding of good and true religion set 

^^ Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 806; also, S. I. C, xviii., 530. 

'* Rules, 1525. S. I. C, xvii., 325. 

^^ Statutes. Carlisle, i., 130. 

^'Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 214. 

" Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 50. 

^* Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 71. 

^* Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 584. 

*•* Oundle, Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 214. 

*' Sandwich, Founder's Statutes. Boys, History of Sandwich, 223, 
Also Wakefield, Letters Patent, 1592. Carlisle, ii., 910. 

*^ Witton, Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, i., 130. 

*^ St. Bees, Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, i., 156. 

** Seven Oaks, Statutes made by Governors. Carlisle, i., 619. 

*^ Grantham, Letters Patent, 1553. Carlisle, i., 805. 

*' Thame, Indenture, 1574. Ihid, ii., 313. 

*' Broughton in Preston, Deed, 1590. S. I. C, xvii., 197. 

*' Abingdon, Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396. 

*' St. Mary Overey, Merchant Taylors' and St. Paul's. Loc. Cit. 

*" Guisbrough, Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 806. 

" Founder's Will. Adolphus Ballard, Chronicles of the Royal Borough 
of Woodstock, 58. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, sg 

forth by public authority;"" in Sandwich, "meet for his 
righte understandinge of Godes trewe religion nowe sett fourth 
by publique awthoritie;"" while in Hexham the master was 
to be "a zealous and sound professor of true religion ' ' and 
"a true abhorer of all papistry."^* In some places the master 
was to be "a Priest in Orders at the time of his admission."" 
While such was the provision at Felsted,^* Skipton," and Thame," 
St. Alban's'" and Seven Oaks*" specified that the master should 
not be in Holy Orders. Other places like St. Mary Overey," 
Abingdon," Manchester," and Merchant Taylor's'* and St. 
Paul's" took a middle course by providing that the master 
might be a priest, but such a one as "hath no benefice with cure 
nor service, that may let his doing business in the School."*' 
In Cheltenham both master and usher might be in orders," 
while in^ the statutes of the schools at Oundle," Sandwich,' 
and Witton,'" there are no specifications as to whether or not the- 
master may be a clergyman. 

Among the statements of the scholastic qualifications there are 
not a few which possess the same general and vague character 
of the cases noted above. Their vagueness is illustrated by the 
following phrases in which they are couched: "a learned per- 
son;"" "honest and learned;"" "an honest, discreete and 

"Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 214. 

" Founder's Statutes. Boys, History of Sandwich, 223. 
" Statutes, 1600. C. C. R., xxiii., 478. 
*' Guisbrough, Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 806. 
"Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, i., 432. 
" S. I. C, xviii., 260. 
'* Indenture, 1574. Carlisle, ii., 313. 
" Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 516. 
'"Statutes. Carlisle, i., 619. 
" Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 584. 
"Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396. 
'3 Rules. S. I. C, xvii., 325. 
** Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 50. 
'^Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 71. 
'"^ Loc. Cit. 

"Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., 33. 
'* Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 214. 
" Boys, History of Sandwich, 223. 
'"Carlisle, i., 130. 

"Abingdon, Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396. St. Bees, Statutes- 
Carlisle, i., 156. 

'^ Aldenham, Founder's Statutes, 1599. S. I. C, xii., 65. 



6o English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

learned man ; "" " learned and cunning ; "'* " sufficiently 
furnished and enabled with learning and discretion."" More 
specific, however, are the following characteristic qualifications: 
"learned in grammar and the Latin tongue;"" "fit, able, and 
literate person, at least well instructed in Latin ; "" " sufficiently 
learned and expert in Grammar;"" "sufficiently learned and 
exercised in Grammar;"''^ of "good understandinge in the 
Greeke and Latyne tongues;"*" "well skilled in Latin and 
Greek;"" "well instructed and skilled in Latin and Greek 
Literature;"*^ "sufficiently learned to teach the scholars in 
Latin and Greek;"*' "able to teach Latin and Greek tongues 
learnedly and skilfully;"** "an honest man, learnede in the 
Greek and Latin tongues, a good versifiere in both the foresayde 
languages, and able to write well (if possible it may bee);"** 
and ability to ' ' make Greek and Latin verses ' ' and to ' ' read and 
interpret the Greek grammar and other Greek authors."*' 

From the above it would seem that the Greek requirement 
was not uncommon. Nevertheless there were still cases in which 
the proviso of Dean Colet's statutes was included. Thus in the 
case of St. Mary Overey the master was to be "a man learned 
in good clean Latin literature, and also in Greek, if any may be 
got,"*' while in Dedham the master was to have sufficient 

"Rugby, Founder's Will, 1567. Staunton, The Great Public Schools 
■of England, 351. 

'* Halifax, Letters Patent, 1583. Carlisle, ii., 809. 

'* Thame, Indenture, 1574. Carlisle, ii., 313. 

"Lowestoft, Deed, 1571. C. C. R., xxii., 179. 

"Bath, Letters Patent, 1553. S. I. C, xiv., 178. 

'* Seven Oaks, Statutes. Carlisle, i., 619. 

'• Guisbrough, Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 806; also S. I. C, 
xviii., 530. 

*" Hawkeshead, Statutes. H. S. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 473. 

*' Hexham, Statutes, 1600. C. C. R., xxiii., 478. 

*^ Grantham, Letters Patent, 1553. Carlisle, ii., 805. 

*» Cheltenham, Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., ^T)- 

** Lincoln, Deed, 1583. C. C. R., xxxii., pt. iv., 349. 

*^ Croydan, Deed, 1599. S. I. C, xi., 160. 

*' St. Bees, Statutes. Carlisle, i., 156. Also Kirkby Lonsdale, Letters 
Patent, 1591. C. C. R., vii., 545. 

''Statutes, 1565. Carlisle, ii., 584. Almost an exact copy of Dean 
Colet's statute which reads, "lemed in good and cleane Laten literature, 
and also in Greke, yf such may be gotten." Carlisle, ii., 71. The 
wording of this statute in the statutes of the Merchant Taylors' School 
is also very similar. Cf. Carlisle, ii., 50. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 6 1 

knowledge of the Greek tongue ' ' to teach the scholars the prin- 
ciples thereof."** 

Not infrequently the scholastic requirements were stated in 
terms of years to be spent in residence at Cambridge or Oxford. 
Thus in Ringwood the master was to be chosen from ' ' such as- 
have been students in either of the Universities of Cambridge 
or Oxford ; "" in Halifax the master was to have been ' ' a student 
in one of the Universities of this Realm of England the space of 
Five years at the least ' ' and such a student as ' ' hath well profited 
in Learning. ' ''" But more frequently this requirement appears 
stated in terms of academic degrees which were to have been 
received from one of the Universities. While in Newcastle 
under Lyme the master was to be a Bachelor of Arts of either 
Cambridge or Oxford,*' in not a few cases he was to hold the 
degree of Master of Arts." In the case of Thame the master 
was to be a Master of Arts, or a Bachelor of Arts of eight years 
standing in Oxford University,'^ while in the cases of Rugby'* 
and Sandwich" the M. A. qualification was conditioned by the 
proviso, clause "yf it mai be convenientlie. "" 

*' Statutes, 1579. C. C. R., xxvii., 217. 
"Deed, 1586. C. C. R., xiv., 530. 
'"Letters Patent, 1585. Carlisle, ii., 809. 

'* Founder's Will. Elizabeth's reign. Carlisle, ii., 482. In Readings 
the matter appointed in 1588 was a B. A., while the one appointed in 
1589 held the M. A. degree. Guilding, Reading Records, i., 386, 392. 
•* Required in the following places : 

Aldenham, Statutes, 1599. S. I. C, xii., 65. 

Ashbome, Letters Patent. Carlisle, i., 207. 

Boxford, Letters Patent, 1596. C. C. R., xxi., 552. 

Cheltenham, Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., 33. 

Dedham, Statutes, 1579. C. C. R., xxvii., 217. M. A. of one- 
year's standing. 

Hexham, Statutes, 1599. C. C. R, xxiii., 478. 

Lincoln, Deed, 1583. C. C. R., xxxii., pt. iv., 349. 

Oundle, Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 214. 

Stevenage, Founder's Will. Carlisle, i., 553. 

Tunbridge, Statutes. Carlisle, i., 628. 

Bungay, Deed, 1591. Carlisle, ii., 511. Preference was to be 
given to Fellows of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. 
'^Statutes, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 266. 

'^Founder's Will, 1567. Rouse, History of Rugby, Ap. i. 
•' Statutes. Boys, History of Sandwich, 223. 

•'The master at Rugby from 1580 to 1581 held B. A. degree. Rouse, 
History of Rugby, 35. 



.6 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Appointment of^^Master and Usher ■ ?-'*^^>#^ [^ 

As in our discussion of the previous topic we shall treat the 
master and usher separately. 

Power to appoint the master was given (i) to the founder of 
the school during his life and to his heirs or some other person 
or persons after his death," (2) to the governors of the school," 
(3) to colleges, (4) to the clergy, or (5) to royal or civil authori- 
ties. The first two classes will need but little discussion as they 
have been noted in previous chapters. 

While in Kirkby Stephen'^ and other places*"" the master 
was to be appointed by the founder during his life, there are 
instances in which this appointive power was extended to rela- 
tives and heirs of the founder. Thus in Colne the master was to 
be appointed by two cousins of the founder and their heirs 
and assigns;*" at Hawkeshead the privilege was extended to the 
founder's son;*''^ at Dronfield it was extended to the heir of the 
founder;*"^ in Ringwood the master was to be appointed by 
heirs or owners of estates of the founder;*"* in Leeds the master 
was to be appointed by the heirs of the founder and by his 
feoflees,*"^ while in other places the right to appoint the master 
was to belong to the governors after the death of the founder."" 

The second class (appointive power vested in governors) was 
probably the largest one. As the cases belonging to this class 
were merely cited in Chapter II., it remains to give some of the 
conditions by which the governors of a few of the schools were 

•' Cf. Supra p. 17. 

•* Non-incorporated governors, Cf. Appendix D. To the list there 
given might be added Abingdon (Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396) and 
Blackrod (Will of John Holmes, 1568. C. C. R., xix., 185), where the 
appointment was to be made by the trustees. 

Incorporated trustees: College, Supra, p. 31. Guild, Supra, p. 33. 
Town, Appendix E. 

Incorporated Governors, Appendix' F. ■ 

"Statutes. Carhsle, ii., 715. 

"""C/. Supra, p. 17. 

"* A. E. W. Marsh, A History of the Borough and Town of Colne, 209. 

*"* H. S. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 474. 

*"' True of appointment of usher also. Carlisle, i., 222. 

'"^Will of Founder, 1586. C. C. R., xiv., 530. 

*"» Will of the Founder. Carlisle, ii., 841. 

*"« E. G. Drayton, Deed, 2nd and 3rd Philip and Mary. C. C. R., 
xxiv., 301. True also of appointment of usher. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 63 

iimited. In Witton the master was to be elected by the feoffees 
and "certain of the honest men of the parish,"'" while the 
feoffees of the school in Crewkerne were to take unto themselves 
* * six of the most discreet men of the town of Crewkerne ' ' when 
they elected a master.'"' In the cases of Monmouth,"" Gilling- 
ham,"" and Drayton'" the master was to be elected with the 
advice and consent of the vicar of the parish church. In Guild- 
ford"' he was to be appointed by the governors with the advice 
and consent of the Bailiffs of the King's Manor of Guildford;'" 
in Stanford he was elected by the governors with the advice and 
consent of the Master and College of St. John the Evangelist, 
Cambridge;"^ while in the case of Aldenham the Master and 
Fellows of Saint John's College, Cambridge, were to nominate 
three persons from whom the governors were to select one who 
was not to be admitted to office until he had been examined 
* ' by some learned ' ' man selected by the governors for that 
purpose, and until he was found "meet to govern both for his 
learning, piety, religion, belief, and dexterity in teaching.""* 
In Shrewsbury, while the formal appointment of the master 
was to be by the Bailiffs, the real right of selection was trans- 
ferred by Indenture, 1571, to St. John's College, Cambridge,"" 
and hence the case really belongs under the third class in which 
the appointive power is vested in College authorities. 

Among the colleges vested with this appointive power St. 
John's College, Cambridge, is most frequently found in our 
material, for besides being indirectly connected with the election 
of the master at Aldenham, and Stanford, it had the selection of 



i<" Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, i., 130. In 1561 there appears to 
liave been some trouble about the selection of a new master. Cf. Appen- 
dix K. 

I'SDeed, 1577. C. C. R., ix., 478. 

*"' Letters Patent, 1543. Carlisle, ii., 164. 

*"• Decree of Commission, 1599. Carlisle, i., 372. 

'" After death of founder. Deed. C. C. R., xxiv., 301, 

"* True of usher also. 

'" Continued until vi. Chas. I. Carlisle, ii., 566. 

"* Act of Parhament, 1548. Carlisle, i., 847. C. C. R., xxxii. pt. 
4, 279. 

"'Fotmder's Statutes, 1599. S. I. C, xii., 65. 

"' Staunton, The Great Public Schools of England, 412. 



64 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

the master at Shrewsbury/" Rivington,"' and PockHngton.''» 
The only other Cambridge college possessing this power, which 
is contained in our material, was Emmanuel College, the Master 
Fellows, and Scholars of which were to have the nomination of 
the r aster of the school at Bungay. '^^ Among the Oxford 
colleges which possessed a similar power were Queen's College^ 
whose Provost was to appoint the master of the school at St, 
Bees,^" All Souls College, the Warden, or Sub-Warden, and Six 
Senior Fellows of which were to hold the nomination of the 
master of the school at Faversham,*" Corpus Christi College 
which had the nomination of the master and usher of the school 
at Cheltenham,^" and the College of Blessed Mary and All 
Saints Lincoln, the Rector and Scholars of which were to nomi- 
nate two persons for the vacancy, whenever such occurred at 
Sandwich, one of whom the governors were to elect as master.'^* 
While the clergy as advisers'" and as members of governing 
bodies'" were indirectly concerned with the appointment of 
masters, there are a few instances in which they had the direct 
appointive power. Thus in the case of Tenderden the master 
was chosen by the vicar of the parish ;'" in that of Lowestoft he 
was to be chosen by the chancellor of the diocese of Norwich'" 
in that of Barnestaple he was to be appointed by Bishop of 
Exeter;'^* in that of Heighington he was to be elected by the 

'" Subject to the limitations imposed by the qualifications. Cf. Supra 

P- 57- 

"* Here the Masters and Fellows were limited in their choice to twa 
persons nominated by the governors of the school. Carlisle, i., 715. 

"' Choice to be made by Masters and Fellows. Act of Parliament,. 
5 Edward VI. C. C. R., xix., 542. 

''"Deed, 1591. Carlisle, ii., 511. 

'^'Letters Patent, 1583. Carlisle, i., 152. 

'''Jacob, History of F aver sham, 55. 

"' Carlisle, i., 446. 

"^ Boys, History of Sandwich, 201. 

'" Vide cases of Monmouth, Gillingham, and Drayton, supra, p. 63. 

"' Vide cases of Gainsborough, Giggleswick, and Kirkby Lonsdale,, 
supra, p. 39. 

'" Report of Archbishop Parker to the Barons of the Exchequer, 
1562. Strype, Life of Parker, Vol. I., 228. 

"8 Deed, 1571. C. C. R., xxii., 179. 

'" Gribble, Memorials of Barnestaple, 521, 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 65 

Dean and Chapter of Durham;*'" while in those of Croydon'" 
and Rochdale'" he was to be chosen by the Archbishop of 
Canterbury. Still less numerous are the instances to be classed 
under the fifth class, in which the appointive power was vested 
in royal or civil authority. In Pontefract"^ the master was 
to be chosen by the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, while 
in Berkhamsted the power to appoint the master was vested 
in the Crown by an act of Parliament.'^" 

Before proceeding to the consideration of some of the provi- 
sions made to insure the election of masters let us note a few 
cases which do not belong to any of the classes just described. 
The first is that of Eye where the master was to be elected by 
the ' ' feoffees of the town lands and the more substantial inha- 
bitants of the borough ; "'*' the second is that of Sudbury where 
"since 36 Henry VIII., the masters have been chosen by the 
owners of the impropriate rectory, rectorial tithes, etc. of St, 
Gregory ;"'^^ the third is that of Burford where according to 
the founder's statutes the master was to be elected by "three 
voices," "the first by the donors of any lands or annuities for 
the maintenance of the school during their lives," "the second 
by the alderman and steward for the time being ' ' and ' ' the third 
by the bailiffs; ' ''" while the fourth case is that of Wellingborough 
where the master and usher were to be chosen ' ' by the most 
part of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wellingborough that 
were assessed to Subsidy last before the same choice. "'^^ 

In not a few places precautions were taken to insure the actual 
appointment of the master within a specified time, which varied 
from twenty days to six months, by providing a second authority 
by whom the master was to be appointed in case of the failure of 
the first to appoint within the specified time. The following table 
gives the information contained in our material upon this subject. 

'3" Deed, 1601. S. I. C, xix., 43. 

'"Statutes, about 1600. C. C. R., xxxi., 871. Sede vacante, by 
parson of Lambeth and Vicar of Croydon. 

"2 Deed, 1564. S. I. C, xvii., 390; also C. C. R., xix., 267. 

"3 Decree of the Duchy Court of Lancaster, 1583. C. C. R., xxxii., 
pt. ii., 811. 

'*" 2nd and 3rd Edward VI., S. I. C, xii., 74. Vide case of Berk- 
hamsted, Supra, p. 41. 

'*' Constitutions of the Borough of Eye, 1566. C. C. R., xxii., 141. 

'*2 C. C. R., XX., 574. 

'^' Foimder's Statutes, 1571. S. I. C, xii., 217. 

"* Statutes, 1596. Carlisle, ii., 227. 

5 



66 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 



Place. 

Hemsworth, 

Hawkeshead, 
Croydon, 



Specified 
Time. 

20 days. 
30 days. 



Table 

Authority by whom appointment was to be made in 
case of failure to appoint within specified time. 



Dean and Chapter 
Cathedral. 1*5 

Bishop of the Diocese.'^ 



of York 



I month. Archdeacon of Canterbury.^" 



Kir kby Stephen, i month. Founder's Heirs. ^*' 



40 days. 



6 weeks. 

6 weeks. 
6 weeks. 



Archbishop of Canterbury, or sede 

vacante, Dean of Canterbury. 1*' 
Archbishop of York, or, sede vacante, 

Dean of the Cathedral Church."" 
Bishop of London.*" 
Earl of Shrewsbury.*" 
2 months. Archbishop of York.*" 
2 months. Archbishop of Canterbury."^ 

2 months. Master of Pembroke Hall, Cam- 

bridge.*" 

3 months. Corporation.*" 

3 months. Master of Corpus Christi College, 

Cambridge.*" 
6 months. Bishop of Diocese.*" 
Indefinite.*^* 



Sandwich, 

Halifax, 

Felsted, 
Whitchurch, 
Pocklington, 
Faversham, 
Saint Bees, 

Lincoln, 
Rochdale, 

Atherstone, 
Liverpool, 

*** Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, ii", 818. 

*^'' Founder 's Statutes. H. S. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 474. 

*■" Statutes, about 1600. C. C. R., xxxi., 872. 

*^' Nominally this authority was the Archbishop of York, but really 
the authority given, since the Archbishop was to appoint the one whom 
the heirs of the founder should ' ' notice or name ' ' and ' ' none other. ' ' 
Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 715. 

"'Boys, History of Sandwich, 201. 

*■*" Letters Patent, 1585. Carlisle, ii., 809. 

*" Deed, 1564. C. C. R., xxix., pt. i., 206. 

*" Statutes, 1550 (in effect in 1570). C. C. R., xxiv., 337. 

*" Act of Parliament, 1552. C. C. R., xix., 542. 

*" Letters Patent, 1576. Carlisle, i., 575. 

*"' Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 156. 

*" Deed, 1583. C. C. R., xxxii., pt. iv., 349. 

*" Or in his absence, the Vice-President of the same college. Indenture, 
1564. C. C. R., xix., 267. 

*" Letters Patent, 1573. C. C. R., xxix., 955. 

**' Such at least would appear from the following entry in the records. 
" 22 Oct., 1599, ordered: 

That Sr Thomas Waineweighte shall kepe 
schole here until God sende us some sufficient learned man, and noe 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 67 

In a few of these places additional precautions were taken to 
insure the actual appointment of the master. Thus in Hems- 
worth, if the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church in York 
failed to appoint the master within twenty days after they 
received notice of the vacancy, the householders of the Parish 
or "so many of them as should repair to the church when so 
warned by the Parson, Vicar or Curate, or by two honest persons 
of the Parish" were to "nominate Nine honest Householders, 
who with the Archdeacon, Parson, or Curate" were for that 
time to have ' ' the grant of the office to such person as should 
be apte and able thereunto;""" in Hawkeshead, if the Bishop 
of the Diocese failed to appoint within thirty days, the appoint- 
ment was to be made by the Dean and Chapter of Chester;^" 
while in Felsted, if the nomination were not made by the Bishop 
of London, the appointment was to return to the heirs of the 
founder."^ 

After the master was appointed he was not admitted into 
office until he had been examined and ' ' allowed" by the Bishop 
of the Diocese. This was in accordance with the Crown's 
Injunctions of 1559, the one referring to this matter reading, 
"XL. Item, that no man shall take upon him to teach but 
such as shall be allowed by the ordinary and found meet as well 
for his learning and dexterity in teaching as for sober and 
honest conversation, and also for right understanding of God's 
true religion.""' This injunction was made a law in 1581, 
when the following act was passed: 

"VI. And be it further enacted. That if any Person or 
Persons, Body Politick or Corporate, after the Feast of Pentecost 
next coming shall keep or maintain any Schoolmaster which 
shall not repair to Church as is aforesaid,"* or be allowed by the 
Bishop or Ordinary of the Diocese where such Schoolmaster 
shall be so kept, shall forfeit and lose for every Month so keeping 
him, Ten Pounds. 

longer, and to receive the wages to be deduced out of the Scholemasters, 
stipend according to the tyme." Sir James Picton, City of Liverpool, 
p. 100. 

""Founder's Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 818. 

"^Founder's Statutes. H. S. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 474. 

'"Deed, 1564. C. C. R., xxix., pt. i., 206. 

"'Quoted in Cardwell's Annals, Vol. i., 195. 

"* Every Sunday and Holyday. Statute, Eliz. i, Cap. 2. 



68 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

"And such Schoolmaster or Teacher, presuming to teach 
contrary to this Act, and being thereof lawfully convicted, shall 
be disabled to be a Teacher of Youth and shall suffer Imprison- 
ment without Bail or Mainprise for one Year."'" 

It is very apparent that the rigid enforcement of this law 
would mean that the appointment of all the masters in the 
realm was virtually in the hands of the Church for the Bishop 
or Ordinary of the Diocese by refusing to grant a license'" to 
the candidate selected by the proper authorities could thereby 
thwart their desires,'" for the license was necessary and could 
be granted by no other bishop than the one who presided over 
the diocese in which the school was located.''^ Efforts were 
made by the government to enforce the law through the agency 
of the church. Shortly before its passage the Council addressed 
a letter to Archbishop Grindle requesting him to cause "all 
such schoolmasters as have charge of children, to be by the 

""Statutes, (Jan. i6, 1581). Anno 23°, Eliz. C. i. 

"' For specimen licenses see Appendix I. 

"' This power of the bishop is illustrated in the case of Harrison, 
Schoolmaster at Aylesham in 1573, the details of whose experience are 
given by Strype in his Life of Parker, Vol. II., 335-37. In 1573 the 
mastership of the free school at Aylesham became vacant. Of the three 
men who applied for the position, Mr. Harrison, M. A., Cambridge, 
appeared to be best qualified and was highly recommended by the Mayor 
and Aldermen of Norwich. Rumors of Harrison 's lack of complete con- 
formity, however, had reached Archbishop Parker, who wrote and urged 
the Bishop of Norwich not to admit Harrison, who was finally admitted 
upon condition that he would keep and execute the statutes of the school, 
in reading the authors there appointed (it had been asserted that he had 
condemned the reading of profane authors to children), that he would 
quarrel neither with his Pastor nor with his neighbors, that he would hold 
no ' ' strange opinions ' ' nor defend them obstinately in prophesying, or 
any other conference, and that ' 'he should use no unlawful games, neither 
vain nor disordered company. ' ' Harrison 's term of office was not long. 
While acting as godfather to an infant about to be baptised he requested 
the Deacon "to change the word of the bok, viz., thou into yoti; and to 
leave out the sign of the cross : as for Dost thou forsake, he would have had 
him to say. Do you forsake; for Dost thou believe. Do you believe; and when 
it was asked, WiU thou be baptized in this faith? it was answered, We^ 
do bring this child to be baptized into the faith of Christ. ' ' Such signs 
of non-conformity could not be tolerated in a schoolmaster and the Bishop 
declared his position forfeited, and appointed or admitted a Mr. Sutton 
whose candidacy had been supported by Archbishop Parker. 

"" C"/. Adams, Elementary School Contest, p. 22. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 69 

Bishop of the diocese, or such as he shall appoint, examined 
touching their religion"'*' and giving him power to have such 
as were found ' ' corrupt and unworthy ' ' displaced and to have 
* ' fit and sound persons placed in their rooms. ' ' But neither 
in this letter nor in the articles of visitation issued by Arch- 
bishop Grindle upon receipt of the letter from the Council,"" 
is there any references to the subject of licenses. But in the 
directions for inquiry in his diocese in 1581 after the passage of 
the act requiring the teachers to be licensed by the bishop of 
the diocese, Archbishop Grindle ordered the authorities to "in- 
quire whether any schoolmaster of suspected religion or that 
is not licensed to teach by the bishop or ordinary doth teach 
in any public or private place within the diocese.""' Similar 
articles were included in Archbishop Whitgift's Articles of 
Visitation of the diocese of Chichester in 1585 and of the diocese 
of Sarum in 1588.'" 

While the government thus worked through the agency of the 
Church it also in a few cases came in contact directly with the 
school through the granting of Letters Patent. Thus in the 
Letters Patent issued to the school at Halifax in 1585 it was 
provided that when the governors had appointed the master, 
they were to present him to the Archbishop of York, "Seda 
Archiepiscopali plena," or, " eadem Sede vacante," to the Dean 
of the Cathedral Church of York, who was to certify as to the 
fitness of the candidate.'" A similar provision was made in 
the Letters Patent of the school at Ipswich in 1565 where the 
governors were given power to ' ' present any fit person to 
undertake the office of headmaster to the Bishop of Norwich 
for the time being to be examined by said ordinary.""* Our 
material contains two instances of the execution of this pro- 
vision. In 1580 it was ordered that a certain Mr. John Smith'^' 

'" Cf. Thesis, Appendix J. 

"0 Cf. Thesis, Appendix J. 

"^ Cf. Thesis, Appendix J. 

172 ^^ Thesis, Appendix J. 

'"Carlisle, ii., 809; also C. C. R., xviii., 569. 

"* C. C. R., xix., 456. 

'" The following letter of recommendation was written for this Mr. 
Smith by John Fox, the martyrologist : 

"Jesus, 
forasmuch as thys yong ma' for whom I wryte ys not so well known to 



7 o English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

be "presented to the Bishop of Norwich for his allowance of 
him to be m'" of the Grammar School," "* while in 1586 Mr, 
John Burtley, M. A., was ordered to be presented to the Bishop 
of Norwich ' ' for enjoying of the Mastership of the Grammar 
School of this Towne. ' ' "' 

Some of the deeds and statutes also contain references to the 
subject of licenses. Thus in Daventry"* and Cheltenham" ' the 
candidate was to be presented to the bishop or ordinary of the 
diocese for examination. In the case of Witton the candidate 
was to be examined by the Bishop of Chester and by the master 
of the King 's Grammar School of Chester, ' ' as well for discretion 
as for learning."''" At Hawkeshead the appointment of the 
master was to be with ' ' the assent of the Bishoppe of Cheister ' ''" 
and the master was to be " allowed by the Ordinarie of the 
place for the time being, according to the Statute in that case 

your honour perad venture, as he is to me by long acquayntance and 
CO 'tinuance, to signifie therefore to your Lordshyp not only upon privat 
affection, but upon truth and knowledge in his behalf: thys is breifly to 
testifie to your Lordshyp that if ye town of Ypsewych stands in neade of a 
worthy, godly and lemed scholmaster for all such indowme 'ts and orna- 
m'ts requisite in such a fu'ction, or trew religion, lemying, diligence, 
and practice, for these and such other giftes and abilitie, I know not 
how nor where they may better spedd then in receauyng thys Mr. J. 
Smythe, beying hymself bom in ye same town of ypsewych, whom both 
present occasion of time and ye good vocation of Jesus Christ, I trust 
offered now to them. Certifeying moreouer your good Lordship, and not 
only you, but also ye whole town of ypsewych, that whosoeuer shall 
receaue hym for guydyng of theire scholers shal doe no such pleasure to 
hym, as profyts to themselues, and co 'moditie to their yougth. 
D. iesus tibi benedicat et anis. Amen. 

Yours in Christ iesu 

Joh. foxe. 
Lond. Noueb. 23 

To ye ryght honorable and hys very good Lord, 
ye Lord Chiefe Justice of England. ' ' 

Quoted from Had. MS. 416 ff. 155. in Nathll Bacon, The Annals of 
Ipswche, 326. 

"' Nathll Bacon, The Annals of Ipswch, 326. 

^'^ Ibid. 347. 

"'Deed, 1576. C. C. R., xiii., 10. 

"•Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., 33. 

'"Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 130. 

'"Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 472. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 7 1 

provided. ' '"^ In Sandwich before the master was admitted 
he was "to be first allowed by the ordynaire and by examyna- 
cion fownd meete bothe for his learnynge and discreacion of 
teachynge as also for his honest conversacion and righte under- 
standynge of Godes trewe religion nowe sett forth by publique 
awethoritie ; " i^^ while in the case of Chesterfield^" it is expressly 
stated in the Will of the Founder of the School that the master 
must be examined and approved by the Archbishop of York.*" 

In a few cases more of the details of election, appointment, 
and admission to office are given. In Sandwich a special 
arrangement was made between the governors of the grammar 
school and the Rector and Scholars of the College of Blessed 
Mary and All Saints Lincoln, Oxford, concerning the appoint- 
ment of master after the death of the founder;'** by this arrange- 
ment within twenty days after the office of master became 
vacant notice was to be given at the College House to the said 
Rector and Scholars, who within the next twenty days were 
to deliver in writing and under their common seal to the Mayor 
of Sandwich, or to the usher at the schoolhouse, the names of 
two duly qualified persons, fellows of the said college.'" 

In the case of Thame, as soon as a vacancy occurred, the 
usher was to notify the Warden and Nine Senior Fellows of 
New College who were to send the names of two properly qualified 
persons to the founder or his heirs by whom one of the names 
must be chosen within four days. Within two days after his 
election the master was to read either in the chapel or some other 
part of the College the statute, " De Officio Paedagogi" and must 
promise to fulfil to the best of his ability the office of master. 
As a pledge that he would fulfill his duty he was compelled to 
give a bond of ;j£2o, which was to be forfeited by him should he 
receive three warnings supinae negligentiae, and should he after 

"''Statutes, 1588. Ibid, 473- 

"^Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 223. 

'" Carlisle, i., 215. 

*** The law was not carried out in all parts of the country as is indicated 
by a report to the Council concerning the bad state of affairs in Lancashire 
and Cheshire in 1591. The report concerning this subject being, "no 
examination is had of schools and schoolmasters. * ' — Calendar of State 
Papers, Domestic, 1 591-1594, p. 158. 

'"C/. Thesis, p. 17. 

'"Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 201. 



- 7 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

the fourth warning refuse to pay the money, the office was to be 
declared vacant, but otherwise the office was to be perpetual.'" 

In Hexham there was to be a meeting of the Governors on 
the Sunday following the vacancy. The records are not clear 
as to whether the election of a new master was to take place at 
this meeting or the matter merely discussed. But however that 
might be the usher was to keep a record of the election. An 
instrument of presentation was to be issued to the master elect 
who was to present himself to the Archbishop of York, or, 
sede vacante, to the Dean of the Cathedral Church of York, for 
' ' approbation. ' ' If approved, he was to subscribe to the articles 
of religion and to take the oath of supremacy. The Archbishop 
or the Dean was then to issue a certificate which he presented 
to the governors, who administered the oath prescribed by the 
■ statutes and then admitted him to the office of master. ''» 

The ceremonies of admission varied. In Ashborne it would 
seem from the Letters Patent of 1585 that there were to be no 
such ceremonies.*'" In Wakefield they appear to have con- 
sisted of an oath taken by the master in the presence of the 
assembled governors before entering upon the duties of his 
office that he would be faithful to those duties.'"' In St. Albans 
the master before being admitted to take, before the Mayor 
and the major part of the Burgesses, "the Oath mentioned in 
the Statutes anno Prima of the Queen's Majestie according 
as by the Statute of anno Quinto of her reign all Schoolmasters 
be appointed.""^ The ceremonies in the cases of St. Paul's 
and the Merchant Taylors' were to be very similar. The 
Statute concerned with this subject in the Statutes of St. Paul 
is quoted here in the text and that of Merchant Taylors' in the 
accompanying footnote for the purpose of showing the similarity 
between the two.'"' 



'*' Statutes, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 266. 

"'Statutes, 1600. C. C. R., xxiii., 478-79. 

'" Carlisle, i., 209. 

'"Letters Patent, 1592. Carlisle, ii., 911. 

"^Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 515. 

"'"This High Master so being chosen shall have his charge given 
to him by the Maister and Wardens of the said Company, for the tyme 
being, then being present in the said Schoole, saying to him on this wise, 
or such like in effect : 

"Sir, we have chosen you to be chief Maister and Teacher of this 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 73 

"The Mercers shall assemble together in the Scole-house, 
with such advice and counselle of well literature and learned 
men as they can get; they shall chose this Maister, and give 
unto him his charge, saying unto him on this wyse: 

' ' ' Sir, we have chosen you to be Maister and Teacher of 
this Scole, to teache the children of the same not only good 
literature, but allso good maners, certifieing you that this is 
no rome of Continuance and Perpetuite, but upon your dewtie 
in the Scole. And, every yere at Candlemass, when the mercers 
be assembled in the Scole-house, ye shall submit you to our 
examination, and founde doinge your duetie accordinge, ye 
shall continue; otherwise reasonable warned, ye shall contente 
you to departe; and you of your part, not warned of us, but 
of your mynde, in any season willing to departe, ye shall give 
us warning Twelve months before, without we can be shortly er 
well provided of another. Also, being Maister, ye shall not 
absente you, but upon license of the Surveyors being for the time 
being. Also, yf any controversy and stryfe shall be betwixt 
you and the Surmaister, or the Chapelyne of the Scole, ye shall 
stand at the direction of the Surveyors being for that yere. ' 

"And, yf the chosen Maister will promise this, thenne admyt 
liim and name him to it, and stall him in his seat in the Scole, 
and shew him his Lodgings." ^'* 



Schoole, to teach the Children of the same, not only good literature 
but also good manners, certyfying you, that this is noe roome of con- 
tynuence and perpetuity, but upon the doing of your duty in the Schoole. 
And every yere when as The Maister, Wardens, and Assistants, shalbe 
assembled in the Schoole howse, concerning the Visitation thereof, you 
shall submytt you to their examinacon, and, found doing your duty 
accordingly, you shall contynewe, otherwise, reasonably warned, you shall 
content you to departe; and, ye, of your party, not warned of us, but of 
your owne minde in any season willing to departe, ye shall give us warning 
Twelve monethes before, without we can shortlyer be well provided of 
another to supply your roome. 

"Also, being Maister ye shall not be absent from the said School above 
Twenty working dayes in the year, which also shall be {conjunctim or 
divisum), without some urgent cause, and good consideracons shall move 
the Surveyors of the said Schoole for the time being to graunt a further 
time of absence, and that the Chief Usher nor Under Ushers be not then 
absent from the Schoole. ' ' — The next clause is quoted almost verbatim 
from the statutes of St. Paul's School. — Carlisle, ii., 50. 

i»^C/. Carlisle, ii., 72. 



7 4 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

In Witton the new schoolmaster was to be escorted to the 
schoolhouse by the master of the King's Grammar school of 
Chester, by the Feoffees of the School, and by ' ' certain honest 
men of the Parish ' ' amongst whom 405. were to be distributed 
for their trouble at each ' ' placing. ' ' The master was to be 
shown his lodgings, lands, houses, tenements, etc., the con- 
dition of the school, and "then and there" the Orders, Rules, 
Laws, and Statutes were to be read to him in order that he 
might understand ' ' his charge and what is required at his 
hands. "^" 

In Kirkby Stephen the master was to meet in the parish 
church at least two of the Governors, the heir or heirs of the 
founder, the Churchwardens, and twelve men of the parish, 
in the presence of whom he was to take the following oath: 

" I do swear by the contents of this book, that I shall freely 
without exacting any money, diligently instruct and teach the 
children of this parish, and all others that shall resort to me, 
in Grammar and other humane doctrine, according to the 
statutes thereof made, — and I shall not read to them any corrupt 
or reprobate books or works set forth at any time contrary to the 
determination of the universal catholique church, whereby they 
may be infected in their youth in any kind of heresie or corrupt 
doctrine, or else to be indured to insolent manner of living: 
And further shall observe all the statutes and ordinances of 
this schoole now made, or hereafter to be made which concern 
me, and shall doe nothing in the prejudice thereof, but help 
to maintain the same from time to time during my aboad herein 
to the best of my power — so help my God, and the contents of 
this book." >" 

Similar to the above oath was that to be taken by every 
schoolmaster of East Retford, who before his admission was to 
be sworn upon the Holy Bible before the Archbishop of York, 
or "his lawful Deputy or Deputies," and was to recite the 
following oath : 

"I, A. B., being elected and named as Master of the King's 
Majesty 's Free School of East Retford, in the County of Notting- 
ham, from this present time so long as I shall be master of the 
said School, shall not receive nor take any annual Service or 

'** Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 130. 
'"Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 714. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 7 5 

yearly Salary, Stipend, or Wages of any person, or persons, 
which shall or may be hurtful, prejudicial, or hindrance unto 
the Godly bringing up or virtuous instructing of the Scholars 
of the said School, — and furthermore, I shall not fraudulently, 
maliciously, nor wittingly of my part neglect or break any 
Ordinance or Statute of the said School lawfully set forth and 
made, so far as to me doth appertain. But shall inviolately 
observe and keep them, and every one of them, as near as God 
shall give me grace, as God help and the Holy contents of this 
Book."!"' 

The master was then to be put in possession of his office by 
at least six of the Bailiffs and Burgesses, governors of the school, 
who were to deliver the hesp of the School-house into his hand 
and to say: 

"Sir, Ye are chosen to be School-master of this School, to 
teach Scholars hither resorting, not only Grammar and other 
virtuous doctrine but also good Manners, according to the 
intent of the most excellent and virtuous Prince King Edward 
the Sixth, Founder of the same — 

' ' Whereupon we assure this to you a room of perpetual 
continuance, upon your good demeanour and duty to be done 
within this Grammar School. " '^^ 

Before proceeding to the discussion of the next topic of the 
chapter, the Term of office of Master and Usher, let us note 
briefly the data concerning the Appointment and Admission of 
Usher. 

While in a large number of cases the power to appoint the 
usher was vested in the governors of the school,^'* yet in not a 
few instances the master was directly or indirectly concerned 
with the appointment of usher. Thus in Ipswich the power 
to appoint the usher was vested in the governors who, however, 
were to ' ' appoint such a man as the master should think fit ' ' 
for the office.^"" In Pontefract the usher was to be appointed 

*" Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 286-87. 

''"Ibid., 287. 

*** C/. Appendices, D, E, F; also Thesis, p. 52. 

""Letters Patent, 1565. C. C. R., xix., 465. The following are 
additional data concerning the appointment of usher in Ipswich : On Dec. 
5' 1577. it was ordered "that Joseph, mr Dawes sonne, shall continue 
Usher of the Schoole until Annunc: next (Mar. 25), and that the Bayliffs 
and such as they shall call to them shall allow him to continue still ir^ 



7 6 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

by the governors, "the mayor and brethren," with the advice 
•of the master,^"' and in Wakefield by the governors with the 
'"help and assistance" of the master, ^'"^ while similarly in Hali- 
fax the usher was to be elected by the governors, the city corpora- 
tion, provided they took unto themselves the master "to judge 
of the sufficiency in learning and aptness in the function of the 
said Usher. ^"^ In Hawkeshead the usher was to be chosen by the 
'' ' Schole-master and the gounors of the said schole or the most 
pte of them;"^"-* in Oundle^"* and Seven Oaks he was to be 
chosen by the master subject to the approval of the governors;*"' 
in Hexham he was to be chosen by the master and ' ' allowed ' ' 
by the governors;*"' in Sandwich he was to be appointed and 
.elected by the master and admitted by the governors ' ' not 
knowing sufficient cause to refuse him,"*"^ while in Kirkby 
Stephen, *»» Redgraves,"" Saint Bees,*" Berkhamsted,*'* Thame"» 
Tunbridge,*'* and Whitchurch,"" the master was to have the 
power of appointment.*** 

that office, or chose somme other meeter man." — Annals of Ipswchei 
316. On April 14, Joseph Dawes resigned and it was ordered that the 
"bayhffs and portmen, with the consent of Mr. Dawes, the schoolmaster, 
' 'shall elect another in his roome. ' ' — Ibid., 323. In 1582 a newly selected 
usher was to be examined by a committee consisting of the rector, the 
school-master, and an ex-schoolmaster, by which he was to be " approved 
for his learning and religion." — Ibid., 331. 

*"' Decree of the Duchy Court of Lancaster, 1583, C. C. R., xxxii., 
pt. 2, 810. 

'"^Letters Patent, 1592. Carlisle, ii., 911. 

*"^ Letters Patent, 1585. Carlisle, ii., 809. C. C. R., xviii., 569. 

^"^ Statutes. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 473. 

^"^ Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 215. 

^""Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 

*<" Statutes, 1600. C. C. R., xxiii., 478. 

*"' Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 223. 

*•>» Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 718. 

*'" Letters Patent, 1561, and Statutes, 1576. C. C. R., xxii., 150. 

"* Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157. 

"!* Date, 1564. S. I. C, xii., 74. 

^'^ The appointment by the master was subject to the approval of the 
warden and two senior fellows of New College, Oxford. Statutes, 1574. 
S. I. C, xii., 266. 

*'* Statutes, EUz. Carlisle, i., 628. 

*'° Statutes, 1550-1570. C. C. R., xxiv., 337; also power of dismissal. 

*" This presents another reason for the absence of definite qualifica- 
tions of usher noted on page 56. In the large number of cases in which 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 7 7 

Concerning the time within which appointments of ushers 
were to be made, the statutes and letters patent generally make 
no specifications. In Halifax, however, this time was fixed at 
one month,"' while in Rivington within the same time the usher 
was to be nominated by the governors and presented to the 
Bishop of Durham or Chester for examination."* 

While the information concerning the formal admission of 
ushers is meagre, it is not uninteresting. The ceremony at East 
Retford and Wakefield"' was the same for master and usher, ""^ 
while those of St. Paul's and Merchant Taylors' resemble very 
much the formalities accompanying the admission of the master 
as will be seen from the following quotations from the statutes 
of St. Paul's."! 

"This Surmaister the Hygh Maister shall chose as often as 
the rome shall be voyde, and when the Hygh Maister hath 

the appointment was practically left to the master, it probably was not 
thought necessary to state the qualifications inasmuch as the master 
would be expected to choose such a man as was qualified to perform 
the duties peculiar to his school. 

"'Letters Patent, 1585. Carlisle, ii., 809. C. C. R., xviii., 569. 

"«C"/. Carlisle, i., 716. 

"• Cf. supra, p. 74. 

''* The following is the text of the corresponding sections of the Statutes 
of the Merchant Taylors' School: — 

"And when The High Maister hath appointed him upon one. The 
High Maister shall call to the Schoole the Surveyors of the Schoole, and 
before them he shall say to the Ussher on this wise : 

" 'Sir, before these my Maisters here. The Surveyors of the Schoole, I 
shew unto you that I have chosen you to be the Chief Ussher or Under 
Maister of this Schoole, and to teach allwaies, from tyme to tyme, as I 
shall appoint you, and supply my roome in my absence when it shall be 
graunted me by my Maisters, the said Maisters and Wardens, and also at 
all such tymes as I shall be sick of any curable disease.' 

' ' Then the said Maister and Wardens shall exhort the Ussher dilligently 
to doe his duty, and shall say unto him on this wise : 

" 'Your roome is no perpetuity, but, according to your labor and 
diligence, you shall contynue: otherwise, fownd not doing your duty 
accordingly, and reasonably warned of us, ye shall departe. 

" ' Yf it shalbe so that at any tyme you will departe of your owne mynd, 
yee shall give us one yere 's warning before your departure. ' ' ' 

The next clause is quoted verbatim. The following clause deals with a 
similar provision concerning approval of the election and the assignment 
of lodgings. Cf. Carlisle, ii., 52. 



7 8 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

appointed him upon one, he shall call to the Scole the Surveyors 
of this Scole, and before them he shall say to the Surmaister 
on this wise: — 

" 'Sir, before these my Maisters here, the Surveyors of this 
Scole, I shew unto you that I have chosen you to be Under 
Maister of this Scole, and to teach always from tyme to tyme as 
I shall appoint you and supply my rome in my absence when 
it shall be granted me by my Maisters, the Mercers, Wardens, 
and Surveyors, and for such more labor in my absence I shall 
somewhat so to you as my Maisters here shall think best. ' 

"Thanne the Surveyors shall exorte the Surmaister diligently 
to do his dewtie and shall say to him on this wyse : ' Your rome 
is no perpetuitie, but according to your labor and diligence 
ye shall continue, otherwise found not according and reasonable 
warned of us, ye shall departe. Yf it shall be so that at any tyme 
ye will departe of your owne mynde, ye shall give us half a year 
warninge. If any controversy be betwixt you and the Hyghe 
Maister, ye shall stand at our direccion in every thinge. ' 

" Yf he will promise this, thenne let The Mercers approve the 
election of the Surmaister, and assigne him his lodgings in 
The Old Chaunge."^'' 

The ceremonies accompanying the admission of the usher of 
the school at Thame also resembled those of the master in the 
same place. The Sunday after his election, in the presence of 
the Churchwardens and of at least four " graviores incolae" 
of the parish, the usher was to read in English, in the parish 
church, the statutes concerning the duty of the master and 
usher and to promise according to a set form of words to observe 
the rules of the school."^ 

The terms for which the master and the usher were elected 
varied greatly. In the cases of St. Paul's and Merchant Taylors ' 
they were appointed for one year with the understanding that if 
they were giving satisfaction they would be continued in office."* 
A similar provision with respect to the master seems to have 
existed in Burford."' In Kirkby Stephen the following statute 

22«C"/. Carlisle, ii., 73. 

*^' Statutes, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 266. The usher gave bond for ;i£oi 
which was to be forwarded by the master to the warden of New College 
within one month after election of usher under penalty of ten ' ' solide. ' ' 

^" Supra, p. 74. 

226 "William J. Monk, History of Burford, 133. Also S. I. C, xii., 217. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 7 9 

applied to the term of office of the usher: ' ' And the same Usher 
shall continue no longer than the space of three years in his 
roome aforesaid, but some other shall be appointed thereto after 
the space of three years or before, if the Schoolmaster think 
it convenient;""* while in Saint Bees the master, limited by 
no such time limit, was to place and displace the usher ' ' as his 
deserts may require, and as shall seem convenient unto the said 
Schoolmaster. ' '"' While in the case of King's Lynn the master 
and usher were to be appointed during the goodwill and pleasure 
of the Corporation,"* and in those of Newcastle and Reading 
they were to serve during the pleasure of the patrons,"' still 
in a large number of cases the length of the term of service 
depended upon the conduct and success of the master and usher 
themselves. Thus in Thame they were not to be so appointed 
that they could not be removed "upon just occasion.""" 
It has already been noted that in East Retford the master 
and usher were to have "perpetual continuance" of office 
' ' upon good demeanor and duty to be done within the grammar 
school.""^ In Ashborne and Oundle the master and usher 
were elected for life subject to removal in the former place for 
violating the statutes of the school"^ and in the latter for proven 
misconduct."' In Gravesend the master was "to be the Schole- 
master during so longe tyme as he shall behave himself honestly, 
and well and dulie performe the offyce of a Schoolemaster in 
teaching his Scollers manners and hollsome learning according 
to the lawes of the Realme,""* while in Wakefield the master 
was ' ' to continue so long as he shall be found by the governors 

"'Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 718. For qualifications of usher here 
cf. Supra, 56. 

"' Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157. For qualifications of usher here 
cf. Supra, 56. 

"* Corporation Records, 1594. C. C. R., xxviii., 25. 

"' Patrons of Newcastle school, the Mayor and Six Aldermen. Brand, 
Newcastle upon Tyne, 89. Patrons of Reading school, the Mayor 
and " Capital burgesses. " Coates, History of Reading, 65. 

^'"Indenture, 1574. Carlisle, ii., 314. 

^'^ Supra, p. 74. 

2" Letters Patent, 1585. Carlisle, i., 209. 

''' Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, ii., 215. 

^'* Notice given by the Portreve, Juratts, and Inhabitants of the 
towns and parishes of Gravesend and Milton in 1595. Quoted in full by 
JRobert Pierce Cruden in his History of the Towne of Gravesend, 226. 



8o English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

to be diligent and faithful in his office, fit for the same both for 
his Religion and Conversation, and no longer.""* 

To sum up briefly : the master and usher were appointed for a 
specified time,"' for a time not specified but subject to the 
pleasure of either the governors or the patrons of the school, and 
for life subject to removal for failure to give satisfaction. Some 
of the grounds for removal have been considered in this section; 
others together with the regulations with respect to dismissal 
will be considered in the following section on "The Removal of 
Master and Usher." 

Removal of Master and Usher. 

It has been noted in the preceding section that the chief 
grounds for removal of either master or usher were inefficiency 
or negligence of duties"' and misconduct in office."* What 
was implied by misconduct in office can be gathered from the 
following regulations concerning conduct in office: in Kirkby 
Stephen the master was not to be given to ' ' unlawful pastimes 
or drunkenness, or else be noted openly to have an evil name 
or other detestable vice or deed which shall require or need 

236 Letters Patent, 1592. Carlisle, ii., 910. 

2^' In Rugby there appears to have been a period of probation. In 
1 581 Nicholas Greenhill was appointed master upon condition that 
"After three yeares tryall of the said Nicholas Greenhill in that place 
that hee the said Nicholas should be and continewe there duringe his 
liefe yf there should be noe just cause given by the said Nicholas Greenhill 
to the contrarie. ' ' (The said Nicholas held office until 1604.) Extracted 
from Inquisition of 1602, Chancery Petty Bag; Charitable Uses, Bk. i.. 
No. 28, quoted in full by Rouse, History of Rugby, Appendix, II., B. 

2^' Usher of school at Ipswich discharged by Corporation in 1594 for 
"neglecting his place." Bacon's Annals, 377. 

2^' The following is a graphic account of the rather forcible expulsion of 
the master of the Rugby school in 1 581. It is quoted in Rouse's History 
of Rugby, Appendix II., D. from the articles objected before the Lordes 
and the reste of Her Majesties moste honorable Privy Counsell againste 
Edwarde Boughton, of Cawston, in the Countie of Warrwick, Esq. (Rec. 
Office, State Papers, Domestic, Eliz., Vol. 146, No. 65). "Item, He him 
selfe with divers others in his companie, riotouslye and contrary to justice, 
hathe made a forcible entrie into the scoole of Rugby, in the Countie of 
Warrwick, and from thence hathe removed with stronge hande and 
displaced one Richard Seele, being quietlie possessed of the same for 
the space of eighteene monethes before." For other details see Rouse,, 
p. 38, and Appendix II., B. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 8 1 

ecclesiastical restraint or correction;""' in Felsted the master 
and usher were not to be ' 'drunkards, whorehunters, or lewd in 
living;" ^^^ in Oundle neither master nor usher was to be "a 
common gamester, haunter of taverns, neither to exceed in 
apparel nor in other ways to be an infamy to the school or give 
evil example to the scholars, ' ' but each was to be " in all points ' ' 
such as "to show himself an example of honest, continent, and 
Godly behaviour;' ' ^" while in Witton the master was not to be 
"dissolute in manners," "a drunkard," "a whoremonger," 
or * ' entangled with any other occupation repugnant to his vo- 
cation, ' ' nor was he to be "a dicer or a common gamester. ' '^*^ 

Another ground for discharge was prolonged absence from 
school. Thus in Saint Bees the master was to forfeit his office 
for being absent fourteen days together, or one month at several 
times, above the twenty days allowed him by the statutes of the 
school ;^^^ in Felsted the same penalty was inflicted for absence 
of eighty days in one quarter of the year;'^* while in Crediton 
and St. Mary of Ottery the master was to be removed for 
absence of one month.'** 

There seems to be a disposition to give the master and usher 
a fair trial. In the first place there is an effort to make sure of 
the guilt of the accused before passing sentence upon him. In 
Louth the complaint was to be made to the Bishop of Lincoln 
who was to ' ' interpose his censure, ' ' and, if the offense demanded 
it, was to deprive the master or usher of office;'" similarly in 
Kirkby Stephen, ' ' vices and offenses ' ' charged against the master 
were to be "redressed by the Bishop or ordinary of the Diocese 
of Carlisle according to ecclesiastical order or common law," 
and if found guilty the master was then to be " expelled out of 

"•Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 717. 

'*«Deed, 1564. C. C. R., xxix., pt. i, 206. 

^" Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 215. The rule in Sandwich was almost 
identical. Cf. Boys, History of Sandwich, 225. 

**' Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 130. Cf. Camden's words concerning 
Roger Ascham, "but being too much addicted to Dicing and Cock- 
matches, he lived and died a poor man. " — Camden, Life of Queen Eliza- 
beth, Anno. II. 

'*' Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 156. 

'"Deed, 1564. C. C. R., xxix., pt. i, 206. 

'^^ C/. Carlisle, i., 258, 325. 

'*' Letters Patent, 1552. Carlisle, i., 825. 

6 



8 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

office;"^" while in Felsted the master and usher were to be 
proved of misconduct before the Bishop of London.^** In Witton 
a master accused of misconduct was to be tried by some of 
the inhabitants of Witton, and if found guilty he was to be dis- 
charged. ^*° In Hawkeshead there was to be an examination 
by the governors of the school."" In Sandwich it was necessary 
for the master to be "sufficiently convicted,""' while in Seven 
Oaks the master was not to be dismissed ' ' without urgent cause 
proved and allowed by the majority of governors. ' '"^ In 
Alford the governors were not to put away any schoolmaster 
until he had been condemned by two magistrates one of whom 
he was to be allowed to choose."^ 

In the second place, there are not a few cases in which it was 
prescribed that attempts were to be made to help the master 
reform. In cases of misdemeanor in Hawkeshead, the master 
was to have three warnings from the governors to leave and 
"amende the said faulte and offence;" these warnings, or 
"monycons," were to be made "openlie before the Stipendiarie 
Mynister of Hawkeshead Churche and some other honeste 
psons of the pyshe ; ' ' between the warnings a month, and no more, 
was to elapse; if the master "mended his ways," he was to 
"Concynewe his place and office of Scholemastership. " "* 
In Sandwich the offending master or usher was to be twice 
' ' gently warned and admonished ' ' by the Founder, and after 
his death by the governors of the school; if, after having been 
twice "solemplie admonished by the governors, or the greater 
parte of them," he did not amend and "diligentlie foUowe 
liis office and charge of the school," he was to be "utterlie 
expulsed and amoved," and another was to be "received in 
his rome". "" In East Retford there were to be "three several 
monitions " by at least six of the Bailiffs and Burgesses at 

**' Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 717. 
"^'Deed, 1564. C. C. R., xxix., pt. i., 206. 
'*' Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 130. 
^^" Cowper, Hawkeshead, 479. 
''' Boys, History of Sandwich, 225. 
"^Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 

^" Bequest (1588) to be forfeited to heirs at law of the donor in case of 
failure to comply with the provision. — Carlisle, i., 781. 
"* Statutes. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 479. 
^^^ Statutes. Boys History of Sandwich, 225, 232. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 83 

intervals of fifteen days,^" while in Kirkby Stephen the master 
was to have two warnings within twenty days, and if he did not 
reform, he was to be displaced."' 

Whether or not the master and usher received warning prob- 
ably depended upon the character of the offense. Thus, in 
Hawkeshead the master was to be discharged immediately 
for "goinge aboute, atteptinge, pcuringe, will assentinge, or 
agreeinge to doe or comytt anie hersie, treason, murder, or 
fellonie ; " he was to be discharged for being ' ' a common drunk- 
ard," "remysse or necligent in teachinge the said schoUers," 
for ' 'havinge or usinge anie ill or notable vice, cryme, offence, or 
condition," or for having "anie suche grevous dysease or infir- 
mitie rendering him unable or unmeet to teach. ' '"* In Dedham 
the master ' ' on just occasion ' ' was to receive a quarter 's 
warning, but was to be discharged immediately without warning 
for any very "heinous or notorious offense.""" In Wakefield 
the master and usher were to receive a "quarter's notice," "" 
while in Eye,"' Seven Oaks,"^ and Witton"* the time was 
extended to six months. In Southampton the schoolmaster 
chosen in 1583 was employed with the understanding that he 
might be dismissed at a year 's notice if the mayor and brethren 
should see fit; in March of 1593 the schoolmaster was called 
before the mayor and warned to ' ' provide otherwise for himself 
by the middle of summer next";"* in 1601 the time of warning 
was reduced to six months."* 

While provision was thus made for the welfare of the master, 
that of the school was not neglected, for in many places the 

^"Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 285. 

"'Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 716. Here the master was to be 
removed for being absent for more than twenty-four days, for lodging 
without his chamber in the night "being within the parish," and for 
being negligent and slack in doing his duty. — Ibid, 716. 

"' Statutes. H. S. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 479. 

"'Statutes, 1579. C. C. R., xxvii., 217. 

^'"Letters Patent, 1592. Carlisle, ii., 910, 911. 

"* Constitutions of the Borough of Eye, 1566. C. C. R., xxii., 140. 

^"Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 

^"Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 130. 

"* Two other cases of dismissal: Yarmouth, 1584, master dismissed 
(Henry Manship, The History of Great Yarmouth, ii., 368). Barnstaple, 
1597, master "put out" (Gribble, Memorials of Barnstaple, 521). 

'" Davies, A History of Southampton, 312. 



84 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

master was to give similar warning when he intended to leave. 
Thus in Southampton he was not "to quit under a year's 
notice. ' ' ^" In Seven Oaks, whenever the master was not 
minded to "continue in the same school," he was to give six 
month's warning to the governors.^" In Dedham the master 
gave a bond of ;^2o not to leave without the consent of the 
governors or without giving the required three months' warn- 
jj^g 268 iij Witton the master was to give "open warning" in 
the Church on some Sunday or Festival day six months before 
his departure; did he fail to do this, he was to forfeit 405. of his 
salary to the feoffees who were to give this amount to forty poor 
people of the parish.'" In East Retford the master was to give 
notice of his intention to leave ' ' openly in the said parish church ' ' 
at least six months before his departure, and in the time imme- 
diately following this announcement he was to do "his duty 
diligently in his office or else to lose so much of his salary as he 
aught to have for the said six months.""" 

Stipends Paid to Master and Usher. 

As it has already been noted that the stipends of the master 
and usher were generally paid by the governors"^ of the school 
from the rents and revenues of the land and possessions held 
in trust by them,"' from tythes appropriated to the use of the 
school,"' from royal revenues vested upon the school by the 
Crown,"* or from the common stock of the town corporation,"* 
only a few somewhat peculiar cases need be cited before pro- 
ceeding to a discussion of method of payment of stipends. The 
first of these cases is that of Aylesham where the master was to 
be paid by the corporation of Norwich,"' which together with 

"" Ibid, 312. 

'" Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 
'«* Statutes, 1579. C. C. R., xxvii., 217. 
""Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 130. 
""Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 284. 
"' C"/. supra, pp. 31, 32 and 35. 
'" Cf. Appendix C. 
'" Cf. Appendix L. 

"* C/. supra, p. II, and Appendix B. 
"* C/. Appendix L., "Kings Lynn." 

"'Deed, 1554. S. I. C, xiii., 347. This school was founded and 
endowed by Mayor of Norwich. — S. I. C, xiii,. 347. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 8 5 

the Cathedral Corporation of Norwich supported a grammar 
school in its own city."' A somewhat similar arrangement 
between the town and cathedral corporations existed at Lincoln 
except, as has been noted before, the cathedral corporation 
participated in the government of the school."' As a rule, 
however, the cathedrals maintained grammar schools at the 
expense of the cathedral corporation. Quite different from 
these cases is that of Knutsford where the schoolmaster was 
to be paid by the heirs or assigns of Sir John Leigh who had been 
granted certain lands by Edward VL upon condition that he, 
his heirs and their assigns would find and support a school- 
master in Knutsford,"' while in Bowdon a similar condition 
was attached by Edward Janny to his lands when he devised 
them to his "kynsmen" in 1553.^*" 

There seem to have been three methods of paying the stipends 
of the master and usher. In the cases where the stipends were 
paid by the Crown the customary method seems to have been 
that of annual payment"^ while in the other cases the payment 
seems to have been made either semi-annually or quarterly, 
upon certain feast days. Thus, in Hawkeshead'" and Coventry"' 
the master was to be paid ' ' in two even portions at the Feast of 
the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and at the Feast 
of St. Michael the Archangel; in East Retford the days were 
the last day of May and November,"* and in Kirkby Stephen 
at the Feasts of Pentecost and St. Martin,"^ in St. Albans"' 

^" C/. Appendix L., "Norwich." 

"* C/. supra, p 37, and Appendix L., "Lincoln." 

"•Deed, 1549. S. I. C, xvii., 46. There is also record of a special 
tax being laid in the city of Liverpool to pay stipends of minister and 
of grammar school master. Date, 1601. Sir James Picton, "City of 
Liverpool," p. loi. In Daventry the salaries of master and usher were 
paid by heirs of founder. — Deed, 1576. C. C. R., xiii., 10. 

^*" Ingham, Bowdon, 115. 

^^^ Tamworth, L. P., 1588. Carlisle, ii., 496. At Salisbury, however, 
the salaries were paid semi annually as in Hawkeshead, L. P., 1569. 
C. C. R., xxvi., 66. 

^^^ Hawkeshead, by H. S. Cowper, p. 482. 

^'^ Benjamin Poole, Coventry, 245. 

2" Statutes. Carhsle, ii., 286. 

^** Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 719. 

2*' Statutes. Carlisle, i., 515. 



86 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

as well as in St Bees'" the master was to be paid "at the Feasts 
of St. Michael the Archangel, the Nativity of Our Lord Christ, 
the Annunciation of Our Lady, and Midsummer," while in 
Hartlebury'** payment was made upon the same feast days, 
the last being called ' ' the Feast of the Nativity of St. John 
the Baptist. "'«» 

Thus far attention has been called to the sources from which 
the stipends were raised, to the channels through which they 
were paid, and to the dates of payment; there remain to be 
considered the amounts of the stipends and their various sup- 
plements. Much of the data concerning the former of these 
topics is contained in Appendix L and is summarized in the 
following tables: 





Tab 


LE 


No. 


I.* 








Annual 


Stipends 


of Masters. 15 


58- 


-1603. 




Annum. 


No. of 
Cases. 






£ per 
Annum. 






No. of 
Cases. 


3 


I 






16 






3 


4 


I 






19 






I 


7 


2 






20 






25 


8 


1 






24 






3 


9 


I 






26 






3 


lO 


12 






30 






I 


12 


I 






33 






I 


13 


18 






40 






I 


15 


3 






50 






I 



While the 79 cases contained in the above table are not suffi- 
cient to warrant making any sweeping conclusions, the table is 
nevertheless suggestive and worthy of study. The most common 
salaries appear to be in order, ;^io, £1;^ (to be more exact £13 
6s. Sd. or 20 marks), and ;£2o. The average of the 79 cases is a 



'"Statutes. Carlisle, i., 156. 

'** Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 759. 

'*• The four feast days mentioned in this paragraph are probably those 
meant by ' ' the four usual feast days ' ' upon which the master was to 
be paid in Rochdale. — Deed, 1565. C. C. R., xix., 267. 

* Cf. Appendix L. In order to make the amounts more easy to handle 
the pence and shillings were dropped in cases where their sum made less 
than half-pound, and in cases where their sum made more than a half- 
pound the pound was added. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 8 7 

trifle over ;£i6i which compares favorably with the average 
pay of the Schoolmaster before the Reformation which is given 
by Leach as £6 gs. 6d. ;^"' but as such a comparison gives undue 
weight to the rather exceptional cases at 40 and 50, a more just 
basis of comparison would be between the medians. This in the 
cases under study is ;;^i5, and while Leach does not give the 
median of the cases studied by him, still the comparison of the 
median of the one witl^ the average of the other reveals the fact 
that there was a decided increase in the stipends paid the school- 
masters after the Reformation, a fact that is seen very clearly 
when one notes that while before the Reformation ;£i2 was the 
annual stipend of the headmasters of "the larger grammar 
schools,"^*' almost 76% of the masters included in our 79 
cases received more than that amount. Indeed, the median 
of all our cases does not compare so very unfavorably with that 
of cases of the salaries of the headmasters of the 10 Cathedral 
Grammar Schools established by Henry VIIL,^»^ both being 
;i^i5. It is also interesting to note that if one canon had been 
taken from each of the ten Cathedral Churches established by 
Henry VIII., '°^ the average of their stipends would have been 
but £2^, while the average of the stipends of the highest ten 
masters would have been £^0. Not less interesting is it to note 
that in Plymouth (and in 24 other instances) ''* the master of 
the Grammar School received ;^2o, the same amount that the 
Mayor of the Corporation received as his yearly fee.^'* But 
probably one of the best ways of getting the situation clearly 
before our minds is to note that 80% of the masters under 
consideration received stipends varying from ten to twenty 
pounds, stipends which in America at the present time would 
be equivalent to from $500 to $1,000.^'® 

*'" Leach, English Schools at the Reformation, p. 93. 

'" Ibid. 

^'^^Cf. Appendix U. 

="' Cf. Appendix U. 

2»^C/. Appendix L. 

^'^ R. N. Worth, History of Plymouth, 271. 

^'' It is evident that a pound in the i6th century is here treated as 
being equivalent to $50 in the United States at the present time. While 
this is somewhat more liberal than the reckoning of either Staunton, 
who in his work on the Great Public Schools of .England, p. 404, treats 
£,S°° (1561) as being equivalent to about ;£3,ooo (1865), or Rouse, who 



88 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

From what has just been said it appears that after the Refor- 
mation there was a decided increase in the stipends paid the 
Grammar Schoolmaster who in a large number of instances 
received a stipend equal to those received by leading civic and 
clerical officials, and who in every case was much more fortunate 
than the usher who served under him, as the following table 
makes evident. 

Table No. 2.2'^ 

The Stipend of the Usher in Terms of the Number of Pounds 

by which his Stipend is surpassed by that of his 

Headmaster. 



£ 


No. of 
Cases. 


£ 


No. of 
Cases. 


£ 


No. of 
Cases. 


7 


3 


II 




4 


17 


I 


8 


2 


12 




I 


27 


I 


9 


2 


13 




3 


30 


I 


10 


10 


IS 




I 


37 


1 



Taking the median to represent the tendency we discover 
that in the 30 cases in which the salary of both master and usher 
is given the median of difference lies between ten and eleven 
pounds; or looking at the matter more from the point of view 
of the group we discover that in 73% of the cases in which data 
are given the stipend of the usher is from eight to thirteen pounds 
less than that of his headmaster. The actual distribution of 
the stipend of the usher is given in the table below. 





Table 


No. 


3-'" 










Annual Stipends of Ushers. ] 


^558- 


-1603. 




£ 


No. of 

Cases. £ 




No. of 
Cases. 


£ 


No. of 
Cases. 


I 


I 6 




I 




II 


I 


2 


7 




4 




12 


2 


3 


I 8 




2 




13 


3 


4 


2 9 









14 


I 


5 


3 10 




10 









in his History of Rugby, multiplies by ten to get the equivalent 
of the value of an amount in 1574, yet it is quite the opposite when 
compared with methods used by Whiston (Cathedral Trusts, p. 12), who 
multiplies by a trifle over 16, and by Leach, who frankly and without 
apology multiplies by 20 (English Schools at the Reformation, p. 93). 

^*' Tables "2" and " 3 " are constructed from data given in Appendix 
L. The same remarks apply to these tables that were made concerning 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 8 9 

Just as in the distribution of the stipends of the masters 
there were three distinct modes increasing in amount, so here 
the most common stipends appear to have been ;^5, £'j (really 
£6 135. 4d. or 20 nobles), and ;^io. While the average, which 
in this instance is nearly £g, is £6 less than the median of the 
stipends of the master, it is over £2 greater than the average 
pay of the Schoolmaster before the Reformation. We can safely 
say that the majority of the ushers concerning which we have 
data were much better paid than either the master of many a 
small grammar school before the Reformation whose salary 
barely reached ;^5, or the ordinary Chantry priest whose salary 
was generally under ;i^5^*' since fully 83% of the ushers received 
that amount or more.^** Fully 63% of these ushers received 
stipends varying from £^ to £10, amounts in our time equivalent 
to from $250 to $500.""' 

In the consideration of the subject of the remuneration of 
master and usher it should be noted that in not a few cases the 
master and usher were not burdened with the payment of house- 
rent,'*" since their dwellings were furnished them free of expense 
by the school authorities. Sometimes the "dwelling" consisted 
of but one room. Thus in West Lavington the master was to 
have one of the eight rooms of the school-house,^"^ and in Drayton 

table No. i. The case of Hexham (cf. Appendix L) accounts for the 
fact that there are 31 cases given in table No. 3 and only 30 in No. 2. 

^®' Leach, English Schools at the Reformation, p. 93. The salary of 
the master at Knutsford, £$ 6s. 8d., resembled the salaries paid before 
the Reformation not only in size but also in method and source. Cf. 
Appendix L, and p. 84. 

^** For the purpose of further comparison it might be well to note that 
the median or average of the cases under study is the same as that of the 
salaries prescribed for the ushers in the Cathedral Grammar Schools 
■established by Henry VIII. Cf. Appendix U. 

300 WT'hile the data of Appendix L cannot be used to give the average 
annual amount expended for instruction in the 76 schools which furnish 
the ' ' cases ' ' of our tables — Shrewsbury furnishing three of the ' ' cases ' ' of 
table No. i. — yet these data indicate that in some years of this reign the 
expenditures for instruction must have reached ;^i,496 115. lod. This 
compares very favorably with the £i,6'j'] $s. o\d. given by Leach, loc. 
cit., as the income of the 259 schools before the Reformation. 

"" There were cases, however, in which no house was provided for the 
master, as for example, in Boston, where no residence for. the master 
was provided until 1837. — Pishey Thompson, History of Boston, 284. 

^"^Circum, 1598. C. C. R., v., 288. 



90 English Grammar Schools in ike Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

the usher was to have a room in the school-house.^"^ In some 
cases there is evidence that the staff had lodgings in the school- 
house or that the master's house was used as a school-house. 
Thus in Drayton'"* and in Barton under Needwood'"* the master 
and usher had lodgings in the school-house; while in Tamworth 
the dwelling of the master was to serve also for the school.'*"' 
In Tiverton the master was to have a house, while the usher 
was to content himself with one of its rooms."" In some cases, 
however, the use of the school-house as a residence for the 
family of the master was definitely forbidden, as in Thame.'"® 
These houses were obtained in various ways, In some instances 
they were gifts. Thus in Burton Latimer the master's house 
was a gift of Wm. Vaux Lord Harrowden and George, his son;'"* 
while in Northampton the master lived in the Vicarage House 
granted by Cardinal Pole to the Corporation as a residence for the 
master. '1" In other cases they were built at the expense of the 
Corporation as in Leicester'" and in Huntingdon. '^^ 

More pretentious than those just quoted are the following 
provisions: In Bunbury the master was to have house, orchard, 
garden and croft, the usher, a cottage and land seven by four 
rods,'" the value of the former being ;^3 per annum, of the 
latter, ;^i io5. ;'^* in Rugby the master was to have "the said 
manyson house with appurten'ce;" "* in Hartlebury he was to 

have to his proper use the Mansion-House at the East end of 

'"' Deed, 2 and 3 Philip and Mary. C. C. R., xxiv., 301. 

^o'lbid., 301. 

'"'Deed, 1593. C. C. R., vii., 303. 

'"'Letters Patent, 1588. C. C. R., xii., 543. 

307 -y^ju Qf Founder, 1599. Carlisle, i., 340. 

SO8 ' ' T^Q desire that the master and under-master shall both be forbidden 
to keep their wives or any part of their family within the walls, rooms,, 
attics or apartments of the master, for they have been built for the purpose 
of teaching and learning and ought to be kept in a state of complete 
quiet and silence so that no improper disturbances may arise in any way 
to interfere with the studies of the school." — Statutes, 1559. Lee, The 
Church under Elizabeth, ii., 113. 

'"»Deed, 1590. C. C. R., xxiii., 324. 

"" Carlisle, ii., 210. 

'"James Thompson, The History of Leicester, 259. 

"^ Records of Corporation, 1561. C. C. R., xxiv., 17. 

'"Statutes, circum 1594. C. C. R., x., 194. 

"^Deed, 1593. G. N. C, 219. 

'^' Will of Founder, 1567. Staunton, The Great Public Schools, 352, 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, g i 

the Church of Hartlebury, with the Garden or Orchard and 
Close adjoining, with the appurtenances, over and above his 
said salary;" ^'* in Kirkby Stephen he was to have the use of 
the Parsonage House and Garth ;^" in Sutton Valence, the use 
of a "good house and garden;" ^'^ and in Coventry the master 
was to have the use of a house called the Mansion House"* and 
of the close behind it, while the usher also had a house and 
garden."" 

While in some places the expenses for repairs were to be 
borne by the master as was the case in Stevenage where he was 
to hold the house upon condition that he keep it in good repair,"' 
in other places, as in Aldenham, the house was repaired at the 
expense of the school."^ 

While the master and usher were to have the use of the pro- 
perty of the school while in office, they were not to destroy any 
of it nor to take it with them when they left. In Oundle"^ and 
Sandwich it was not to be " lawful for the master or usher or 
any of their friends, at the going awaie from their office, to spoil 
or take awaie with them any such thing as ys or shall be set up 
and fastened in their howse or howses or planted in their orchards 
or gardens or as stock or store in the school howse," but they 
were to ' ' leave it with as good will as for their time they had 
enjoyed the use thereof:" an inventory of "all things that 
apertaine unto the schoole, be they books or bedinge or other 
ymplementes,in the master's or usher's howse or in the schoole" 
was to be placed in the hands of the governors so that at the 
departure ' ' they may be staled and reserved as apertaineth in 
that behaulf. ' ' "* Similarly at Saint Bees the master was to 
receive ' ' the Implements and Bedding ' ' by inventory from the 
Governors and was also to ' ' enter into sufficient Bond at his 
first Entrance to make good the same from time to time". "* 

"'Statutes, 1565. Carlisle, ii., 759. 

"' Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 719. 

318 Date, 1578. Carlisle, i., 624. 

3'* Benjamin Poole, Coventry, 245. 

^^'^ Ibid, 249, 245. 

"1 Carlisle, i., 516. 

3" Statutes, 1595. S. I. C, xii., 66. 

3^3 Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 218. 

^^* Statutes. Boys, History of Sandwich, 230. 

3^^ Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157. 



9 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

The sources from which the salary of the master and usher 
miight be augmented varied. In some places the staff received 
the surplus after the necessary expenses had been met. Thus in 
Sandwich the surplus after the charges for repairs, etc. had been 
deducted from the income and rents from the estates of the 
school was to be divided equally between the master and usher,"' 
while in Coventry the stipends of the master and usher were to 
be augmented by the surplus left after the necessary expenses 
had been deducted from the £g 12s. 6d. appropriated for re- 
pairs."' The arrangement at Moulton was to be similar to those 
just described, the difference being that the master's stipend 
alone was thus augmented."' In other places there were extra 
amounts paid by the governors of the school. Thus in 1561 
the master of the school at Southampton received besides his 
regular salary, £^ 6s. 8d. for his board,"' while in Saint Bees the 
master upon his first arrival at the school was to ' ' receive 
towards his charges in his journey so much of the said yearly 
stipend as shall be grown due since the avoidance of the last 
schoolmaster before him." "" In some places the master and 
usher were permitted to take boarders. In Sandwich the master 
and usher were permitted to "boerde, dyet or lodge in their 
howses or romes or otherwies, ' ' the master no more than twelve 
scholars, and the usher no more than six, except by consent of 
the governors,"^ while in Oundle the provision was the same 
with the exception of the numbers which were six and three 
respectively."^ Lectureships were also open to some of the 
masters."^ Thus in Newbury the schoolmaster was in 1559 
the lecturer of the parish church,"^ while in Southampton the 

'^' Boys, History of Sandwich, 223. 

^" Deed, 1573. Carlisle, ii, 647. 

"'Decision of a Co-mmission in 1599. Carlisle, i., S38. 

^^* Da vies, History of Southampton, 312. 

^^^ Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 156. 

^" Boys, History of Sandwich, 225. 

^"Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, ii., 215. The limitations in these two 
cases were placed upon the masters and ushers in favor of the inhabitants 
of Sandwich and Oundle, who made considerable money boarding and 
rooming "out of town" students. Cf. infra 146, footnote 112. 

^'^ In Cheltenham, however, neither master nor usher was to preach 
more than six times in a year without special license of patrons. (Deed, 
1586. S. I. C, XV., S3). 

^^* Walter Money, Tlie History of Newbury, 213. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 93 

master in 1569 besides his salary received £6 135. 4d. for reading 
a divinity lecture once a week.^" But probably most common 
as. well as important sources of augmentation of the salaries 
of master and usher were the various fees which fell due to them. 

Without doubt the most common of the fees thus granted 
to the staff were the admission or entrance fees, which varied 
in value from one to twelve pence. ^^' The grounds for the pay- 
ment of these fees are variously stated. Thus in St. Paul's 
the child was to pay at his admission ' ' 4d. for wrytinge of his 
name," '" while in the Merchant Taylors' the fee was izd. "for 
writing in of his name ' ' ^^' and in the school at Ringwood the 
same amount "for entering name in book." "° In Lowestoft 
the fee was for "the nomination and appointment" of the 
scholar.'^" In several places there was a difference between 
the fees granted to master and to usher. A reduction from 
i2d. to 4d. was made for the "poorer sort" in Bunbury^" and 
for children of inhabitants of the town in Burford,"^' while in 
Shrewsbury there existed a system of entrance fees graduated 
according to the rank and place of birth of pupils.'" 

While it is probable that the entrance fees generally went to 
augment the stipends of the staff, yet there are instances in 
which those fees were appropriated for specific purposes. Thus 
in St. Paul 's ' ' this money of the admissions ' ' was to be given 
to ' ' the poor Scoler that swepeth the Scole and kepeth the seats 
cleane,"^^* while in the Merchant Taylors' it was to be "given 
to such one, as shalbe appointed by the said High Maister and 
the Surveyors to sweepe the Schoole, and keepe the Court of 
the Schoole cleane, and see the Streete nigh to the Schoole 
Gate clensed of all manner of ordure, caryon, or other fylthy 
or uncleane things, out of good order, or extraordynarily there 
thrown."'** Similarly the entrance fee of one pence and the 

"* Davies, A History of Southampton, 311. 

'" Cf. Appendix L. 

"' Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 75. 

"'Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 54. 

"•Will of Founder, 1586. C. C. R., xiv., 530. 

'*"Deed, 1571. S. I. C, xiii., 216. 

"1 Statutes, circum 1594- S. I. C, xvii., 23. 

'^^ Statutes, 1 571. Monk, History of Burford, 134. 

'«C/. Appendix L. 

'** Statutes, 1512. Carlisle, ii., 75. 

'"Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 54. 



94 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

quarterly fee of one pence per scholar was to be devoted by the 
usher of the school at Seven Oaks to having ' ' the school swept 
and made clean once every week. ' ''^* In Thame the admission 
fee of a drachma was to go " towards the literary use of the 
school. ' '^" 

Although perhaps not so common, the tuition fees were very 
probably more important than those just discussed. In a few 
instances the amount of the fees is not given as is the case in our 
records of the school at Aylesbury which although called a Free 
School was supported at least in part by the tuition fees paid by 
the parents of the boys.'" As was the case with respect to the 
entrance fees, so here also there appears to have been a gradua- 
tion of fees based upon several kinds of considerations. The 
fee paid to the master was higher than that received by the 
usher. Thus the difference between the two in Thame was that 
between a ' ' solidus ' ' and a ' ' semi-solidus ' ' per annum.'** The 
fee paid by the pupil coming from a distance was not infrequently 
higher than that of the one living in the parish or town in which 
the school was situated. Thus in Burford the former was to 
pay dd. per quarter while the latter paid only id. per quarter;"" 
in Hexham the former class of pupils paid the master iid. a 
quarter and the usher 6d. a quarter, while the latter class paid 
the small sum of id. a quarter and were required to pay no 
more unless their parents wished to do so ;'^' while in the case of 
Heighington children from the parish were to receive instruction 
free with the exception of the entrance fee of /^d. and a small 
quarterly fee of 2d., the poor children from outside of the parish 
were to pay 2s. per annum, while the sons of rich men and gentle- 
men were to be taken upon such charges as ' ' the schoolmaster 
and they should agree upon."'" Not quite so indefinite was 

'•" Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 

'*' Two denarii were also to be paid annually to the master for the 
purpose of sweeping the school. — Statutes, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 267. 

'" Robert Gibbs, A History of Aylesbury, 476-77. 

'"Statutes, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 267. 

"" Monk, History of Burford, 134. Four scholars known as the Wisdom 
Scholars and elected by the founder and his heirs were compelled to pay 
only the admission fee of ^d. — Statutes, 1571. S. I. C, xii., 217. 

'" Paid on quarter days. — Statutes, 1600. C. C. R., xxiii., 479. This 
school was also known as a Free Grammar School. 

^"Articles annexed to Foundation Deed, 1601. S. I. C, xix., 42. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 95 

the corresponding provision in Abingdon where ' ' the sons of 
any honest man, gentleman, or riche man," if there was still 
room, was "not to be refused, or charged more than 65. 8(i. a 
year.'" In the Merchant Taylors' 50 of the 250, "being poore 
men's Children," were to have paid for them by their parents 
or friends ' ' two shillings and two-pence by the Quarter for a 
peace of them," while another 100, "being rich or meane 
men's Children," were to have paid by the parents or friends 
' ' Fy ve Shillings by the Quarter for their instruction and learn- 
ing. ' '^" In Warwick the master was to receive 405. annually 
from the profits of certain lands for teaching the ' ' petties ' ' and 
"poor men's children in the County of Warwick."^" 

While in St. Saviour the master was allowed to take a limited 
number of "paying pupils,'"" there are not a few cases, where 
tuition fees are definitely prohibited.'" The will of the founder 
of the school at Normanton provides that ' ' the master should 
not command any allowance for teaching the free scholars 
beyond the yearly sum of ;^io ' ' which was paid from the estates 
deeded to the school."* The master of the school at Seven 
Oaks was to take nothing "of the said poor Children, their 
Parents or Friends for their teaching. ' '"* The master at 
Hawkeshead was to teach ' ' freelie wthout takinge anie stipende, 
wage, or other exaccon of the schoUers, or of anie of them re- 
sortinge to the said Schole to learn. ' '"" The Founder of the 
school at Tiverton expresses himself very forcibly upon this 

'" Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396. Ten scholars were to be admitted 
■"of whom the master was to take his advantage". Ibid. 

''* Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 51. 

'"Deed, 1571. S. I. C, xv., 750. 

""Forty out of 100 on condition that he hire an usher. Letters 
Patent, 1562. S. I. C, i., Apendix 49. 

'" Instruction was to be free in the following places: Bunbury (Statutes, 
circum 1594. S. I. C, xvii., 23), Burnley (Deed, 1577. S. I. C, xvii. , 
202), Cheveley (Letters Patent, 1568. S. I. C, xii., 483), and Manchester 
(Deeds, 1515-25, in effect in reign of Elizabeth. S. I. C, xvii., 324), 
and Kirkby Stephen (S. I. C, i., Appendix 50). 

'** The school was therefore free to all scholars of the founder's name 
and kin and to 30 poor children of the parishes of Normanton and Warm- 
field, or, in default, from the neighborhood. The school was to be known 
as a Free Grammar School. — Will, 1594. S. I. C, xviii., 190. 

'*' Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 619. 

""Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 472. 



96 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

subject in the following clauses of his will: "And my hope 
and desire and will is that they^" hould themselves satisfied 
and content with that recompense for their travelP'^ without 
seeking or exacting any more either of Parent or Children, which 
procureth favour to givers and the contrarie to such as do not or 
cannot give, for my meaning is, yt shall be for ever a FREE 
SCROLL and NOT A SCHOLE OF EXACTION. "^"^ This 
is evidently aimed at a custom which was apparently not un- 
common, viz. that of prohibiting the master from taking tuition 
fees but allowing him to receive voluntary gifts.'** Thus the 
master of the school at Guisbrough was to teach freely all 
scholars coming to the school, "never after any thing of duty,"' 
but if any of the parents or friends of the scholars gave him any 
thing ' ' of their free will,'' ' he might ' ' take it thankfully, ' '^'^ while 
in Croydon the following rule was to be in effect: "He (the 
master) shall freelye teach suche of the children of the parishe 
of Croydon, without exactinge any thinge for theire teachinge 
as are of the poorer sorte, — but yet it shalbe lawful for the saide 
schoolemaster to receave that which is voluntarily bestowde uppon 
him by any of the saide poorer sorte of parishioners, and for the 
children of suche as be of the better sorte of the parishioners 
of Croydon. "'°° "Gifts" were also permitted in Hartlebury 
where the following statute treats the subject: "Also, that the 
said School-master shall and may have, use and take the profits 
of all such cock-fights and potations, as are commonly used in the 
Schools, and such other gifts as shall be freely given him by any 
of the friends of his scholars over and besides his wages, until 
his salary and stipend shall be augmented. ' ''" In the free 
School at Warrington, ''* while tuition fees were forbidden and 
the master was not to take any "reward, stipend or schoolhire^ 
yet it was to be lawful for him to take from his scholars ^d. 

'" I.e., the master and usher. 

"^ For the value of their "recompense" see Appendix L. 

"' Date, 1599. Carlisle, i., 340. Similar provision in Drayton. Deed, 
2nd and 3d Philip and Mary. C. C. R., xxiv., 301. 

'"Custom permitted in Ringwood. — Deed, 1586. C. C. R., xiv., 530. 

'"Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 806; also S. I. C, xviii., 530. 

''• Deed, 1599. S. I. C, xi., 160. 

"'Statutes, 1565. Carlisle, ii., 759. 

*'* According to statutes made in 1526 but in force in reign of Eliza- 
beth.— C. C. R., XX., 167. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 97 

annually, a cock-penny in the quarter after Christmas, and three 
potation-pennies in the other three quarters, for which he was 
to ' ' make a drinking for all the said scholars in any of the said 
three quarters. ' ' In Witton the master was permitted to re- 
ceive certain fees called "Veils," which consisted of the admis- 
sion fee of 4<i. and of id. from every scholar paid on the first 
Thursday after the Christmas recess. '"• 

To sum up briefly before proceeding to the consideration of 
the topic of the duties and powers of the staff the stipends of 
the master and usher of this period were higher than those of the 
master and usher before the Reformation, that of the master 
being proportionally higher than that of the usher;"" in not a 
few cases the staff was not burdened with house rent; in some 
cases the salaries were augmented by the surplus revenues of 
the estates of the school, in others by profits from boarding 
students or by incomes from lectureships, and in others by 
entrance fees, tuition fees,'" gifts, or fees such as the profits of 
cock-fights and potation pennies. There were also a few instances 
in which the salary of the master might be increased at the ex- 
pense of that of the usher and vice versa. Thus in Kirkby 
Stephen the usher was to have charge of the school during the 
absence of the Master or in the intervals between the leaving 
and coming of masters, for which he was to receive two shillings 
extra per week,"^ while in Oundle during the absence of the one 
the other was to ' ' supply his office ' ' and was to receive such 

^"Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, ii., 132. 

"** There are instances in which the salaries themselves were augmented 
either by the efforts of the master or by increased donations. Cf. Appen- 
dix L. Not uninteresting in this connection is the following extract 
from the Mickletown Jury Roll, borough of Nottingham, for the year 
1588 {Records of the Borough of Nottingham, 223); "We request your 
Woo(r)shippe, Maister Maior, with the rest of your brethren for as much 
as we see our Scoole to increase by mennes wherof much more dellygence 
is vsed than hath benne latlye hertofore, and partlye by a carfuUe Ousher 
well lemed and brought vp in teachinge : wee dooe alle most willingly 
request you that, wheras he hath in wadges for the whole year vj li 
xiiJ5. injd. that it may be mad viij li. ' ' 

'"In Bungay (Statutes, 1591. S. I. C, xiii., 135) the master, if he 
hired an usher at his own expense, could require every townsman having 
children in the school to pay 55. a year for every such child. 

"2 Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 718. 

7 



98 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

^'good and convenient allowance as they can agree. ""^ Every 
possible effort was made, however, to emphasize the importance 
of regular attendance which was considered as the basal duty 
of every master and usher and hence may well be considered as 
the first of the Duties of Master and Usher. 

Duties of Master and Usher 

A glance through the following regulations concerning absences 
will bring to light the fact that vacation days were not very 
plentiful. In Witton the master was to have liberty once in 
every thirty days to be absent "to recreate himself.""^ In 
East Retford he was not to "absent himself forth of the said 
town of East Retford from his school over a space of three days 
in any one quarter, ' ' except by the special license of the gover- 
nors."* In Kirkby Stephen the master might be absent twelve 
days in the year, the extreme limit being twenty-four days."' 
In Saint Bees he was not to "absent himself from the school 
above twenty days in the whole year ' ' besides the twelve days 
in Christmas, Easter, and Whitson weeks, "without urgent 
cause and special license" to be obtained from the majority 
of the governors ;"^ but in such a case he was to ' ' appoint some 
other meet man to supply his place," and did he "tarry away 
longer than twenty days" he was to forfeit i2d. per day which 
was to be taken from his wages, and did he remain away for 
more than fourteen days together, or one month at several 
times in one year above the twenty days, he was to forfeit his 
position. "» Similarly in Ringwood the master was to be absent 
only for ' ' needful and urgent causes ' ' and not over twice in a 
year or for longer than twenty days at one time, when he was 
to furnish a substitute."' Did the schoolmaster or usher of 
Alford wish to leave town concerning business, it was necessary 
for him to obtain the consent of the governors, and if he intended 
to be absent for more than two days, he was to appoint ' 'some 

"' Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, ii., 216. 
"* Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 131. 
'"Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 285. 
"•Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 716. 

"' Provision at Merchant Taylors' very similar. For details cf. supra, 
chapter iii, footnote, 193. 

'"Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157. 
"'Deed, 1586. C. C. R., xiv., 530. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 99 

sufficient person in his place. ' '^^° In Oundle'" and Sandwich^" 
neither master or usher was to be absent for more than twenty 
days in the year ' ' nor so much but upon good and urgent cause ; ' ' 
nor were both to be absent at the same time, but one was to 
take the place of the other who was absent; license from the 
governors was necessary for an absence of over twenty days. 
In Seven Oaks it was necessary for the master to obtain the 
consent of the governors whenever he wished to absent himself, 
and even then he was not to be absent "above thirty days in 
the year,"^'^ which he might take " commutim or divisim."^^* 
In Hawkeshead neither master nor usher were to be absent 
except when necessary nor were they to be absent at the same 
time; for an absence of over six weeks the license of the gover- 
nors was necessary.*** In Felsted neither master nor usher was 
to be absent above eight days in a quarter "without good ex- 
cuse,"**" while the arrangement in St. Albans was similar to that 
in effect at Seven Oaks with the exception that no more than 
six days were to be taken except in cases of sickness.*" 

In making special provision for the sickness of master or usher 
St. Albans was not alone. In Seven Oaks a master "sick of a 
curable disease ' ' was nevertheless to have his wages * * somewhat 
considering the usher for his pains. ' '*** In East Retford, in 
case of "infirmity or other lawful impediment," the master 
was to furnish a substitute,**' while in Oundle*'" and Sandwich, 
if the master were sick of a curable disease, he was to be ' 'toler- 
ated for the time and his stipend allowed fully, so that his office 
be furnished by his sufficient deputie ; ' ' but if he were sick of 
an infective or incurable disease, he was to be "putt awaie' 

'?' Statutes, 1599. Carlisle, i., 784. 

*" Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 216. 

**^ Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226. 

*** This was the time allowed the master and usher of St. Paul's who 
might ta,k.e it "conjunct Im or divisim." — Statutes, 1512. Carlisle,!., 72, 
73. It was necessary for the usher, however, to obtain the permission 
of the master and governors of the school. 

'"Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 



""Statutes, 1580 

'"Statutes, 1564 

'"Statutes, 1570 

*** Statutes, 1574 



Cowper, Hawkeshead, 475. 
Carlisle, i., 432. 
Carlisle, i., 516. 
Carlisle, i., 621. 



**• Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 285. 
*»" Statutes, EHz. Carlisle, ii., 216. 



loo English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

and another was to be chosen "in his rome."^*i At St. Paul's 
the matter is treated in the following statutes: ' ' Yf the Maister 
be syke of sykeness incurable, or fall into such age that he may 
not conveniently teache, and hath bene a man that longe and 
laudably hath taught in the Scole, thanne let another be chosyn, 
and by the discrete charitie of the Mercery let there be assigned 
to the olde Maister a reasonable levinge of Ten Pounds or other- 
wise as it shall seme convenyent, so that the olde Maister after 
his longe labor, in no wise be lefte destitute. Yf the Maister 
be syke of sikenes curable, yet nevertheless I will that he shall 
have his wages, and in suche sekenes yf he may not teache, 
let him reward the Under-maister for his more labor somewhat 
according.^" 

"In sekenes curable, as aches, or suche sekenes, for a tyme 
he (the Under-maister) shal be tolerated and have his full 
wagis. 

"Yf after his commynge he fall sick unto sickenes incurable, 
as Lepry, or Frenche Poxe, or, after his longe labor in the Scole 
fall into age ympotent, thenne I commit him to the charitie 
of The Mercers, they of the coler of the Scole, to provide him a 
lyvinge as it may be possible, praying them to be charitable in 
that behalf. 

"Yf both maisters be sicke at onys, thenne let the Scole 
cease for that while. "^'^ 

Not so liberal or comprehensive are the following statutes of 
the Merchant Taylors' which it will be noted omit references to 
incurable sicknesses, old age, and pensionery support: "Yf 
the maister be sick of a sicknes curable, yet neverthelesse it is 
meete that the Chief Usher, for the tyme that the Maister is so 
sick, shall doe his best endeavor to direct all the Schoole, as the 
duty of the Maister was to have done. The said Usher to his 
power to doe his owne duty as he did before neverthelesse. ' '^^ 

"In sickness curable, or axes (agues), or such sickness for a 
tyme he (the Chief Usher) shal be tolerated and have his full 
wages, although that, during the tyme of such curable sicknes, 
The High Maister, with that help of the Under-Usshers, shall 

'" Statutes, 1583. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226. 

^'^ Statutes, 1512. Carlisle, ii., 72. 

'"Ubid, 73. 

^"^ Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 51. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth 



lOI 



to the uttermost of their powers, instruct and teach all the 
Schollers within the said Schoole with all dilligence, as the duty 
of the Ussher was to have done, The High Maister and The 
Under-Usshers to their power to doe their owne duty as they 
did before nevertheless. 

"Yff both The Maister and The Usshers be sick at once, (as 
God defend), then let the Schoole cease for that while. "^»* 

As to enforced vacations caused by the prevalence of con- 
tagious diseases,^" the statute of St. Paul's is, ' ' Yf there be such 
sicknesse in the citie contagious that the Scole cannot continue, 
yet neverthelesse both maisters shall have their wages, being 
always ready for to teache. ' '^" The wording of the correspond- 
ing section in the statutes of the Merchant Taylors' School is 
rather odd: "Yff there be such sickness contagious in the 
Cytty, that the Schoole cannot contynue,'" then both The 
Maister and The Usshers must have patience in such a case. ' '^" 
In Sandwich and Oundle"" it was provided that, if the school 
were compelled to be closed on account of contagious sickness, 
the master and usher were to receive their regular salary, ' ' being 
in rediness to teache so sone as God shall make suche contagious 
sickness cease. "*"^ 

An excellent statement of the chief duties, moral, intellectual 
and religious, of the master and usher is contained in the follow- 
ing section of the statutes of the school at Hartlebury: "Also 
that the said School-master and Usher, and either of them, shall 
instruct, teach, and bring up their Scholars as well in Virtue 
and Learning according as the capacity and wits of the said 
Scholars shall ask and require, as also shall instruct them in 
the true knowledge of God and his holy Word, as much as in 
them lieth, and further shall execute and do all such things as 
to the office of a good School-master and Usher shall appertain 

'''Ibid, 52, S3. ' 

'*' The school in Southampton was closed in 1583 for some time on 
account of a "visitation of a plague." — C. C. R., xiii., 167. 

'*' Statutes, 1 512. Carhsle, ii., 74. 

^*^ In 1603 the school was broken up for some months because of the 
prevalence of the plague. — Staimton, The Great Public Schools of Eng- 
land, 217. 

^''Statutes, 1561. Carhsle. ii., 53. 

^'"' Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, ii., 216. 

^"^ Statutes. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226. 



I02 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

and belong, and according to such order as the said Lord Bishop*"* 
shall by writing in Articles prescribe unto them. "^"^ 

In the execution of the duties there was generally a division 
of labor between the master and usher. As a rule the master 
had general oversight of the whole school having also the super- 
vision of the work of the usher,"* who customarily was given the 
lower forms or such forms as the master should designate to 
instruct*"* and whose chief virtue was to be obedience to the 
master.*"" In case of the absence of one the duties of both were 
to be performed by the other,*"' and so when a vacancy occurred 
caused by death,*"' dismissal, or leaving of either master or 

*"2 Edwin Lord Bishop of Worcester. 

*"^ Statutes, 1565. Carlisle, ii., 759. 

*"* Thus the master in Saint Bees was to have general oversight of 
the usher (Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157). In Sandwich the master 
was to have supervision of the usher 's work, and the usher was to ' ' prac- 
tice and use suche order and forme in teaching as, the master should thinck 
good to prescribe," while at least twice a month the master was to 
examine the pupils under the care of the usher, ' ' to understand how 
they profyt and go forward in learning" (Statutes. Boys, History of 
Sandwich, 228). In Felsted the usher was to "teach the children in such 
manner and form as the master shall direct" (Statutes, 1564. Carlisle 
i,. 432). Similarly in Oundle the usher was to "follow such order in 
teaching as the master shall prescribe" (Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, ii., 
215). Cf. also the statutes of St. Paul's and Merchant Taylors' quoted 
supra, p. 78. For account of the supervision of the work of the master,. 
cf. supra, p. 52fif. 

*"* Thus in Hawkeshead the usher was to ' ' teach such Children and 
Schollers in the said Schole of the loweste fformes as to him shall be 
appointed by the said scholemaster " (Statutes. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 
480). In East Retford the usher was to teach "such Lower Formes and 
young Scholars as shall be to him appointed by the School-master" 
(Statutes, 1552. Carlisle ii., 281). Similarly in Ipswich (Bacon, The 
Annals of Ipswche, 418), and Saint Bees (Carlisle, i., 157) the lower forms 
were assigned to the usher. For detailed account of duties, see Thesis, 
p. 109. 

*"" Thus in Hawkeshead the vtsher was to be "obedient" to the master 
(Cowper, Hawkeshead, 480) while in East Retford he was to be obedient to 
the master ' ' in all things honest and lawful concerning the said school ' ' 
(Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 281). 

*"' Cf. supra, 99ff. 

*"* In Hawkeshead upon the death of the master, the usher was to 
"teach the Schollers in the said School as master therof, untyll ther be a 
Scholemaster placed in the said Rowme and Offic, ' ' and for the time during 
which he acted as master he was to have ' ' the stypende and allowaunce 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 103 

usher, the other was to perform the duties of both until the 
vacancy was filled,*"* while in some such cases the usher if 
qualified for the position of master was to be preferred/'" In 
cases of disagreement between the master and usher the gover- 
nors were usually to be arbitrators and their decision was to be 
final.*" 

Such were the relations between master and usher whose 
scholastic duties will be treated in greater detail in our study of 
English Grammar School Curricula. 

belonging to the said scholemaster " (Cowper, Hawkeshead, 473, 474). 
In Oundle (Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 216) and Sandwich (Boys, 
History of Sandwich, 226) the executors or assignees were to be paid 
the money due the deceased up to the time of his death. 

*"' Cf. supra, gg&. In Oundle and Sandwich {loc. cit.) the usher was 
to take the place of the master and was to receive the salary due both 
until the appointment and admission of a new master, but in Hawkeshead 
during the time that the usher acted as master he was to appoint a 
' ' schoUer of the same schole to be usher under him, ' ' and the ' ' schoUer ' ' 
thus substituting was to have the ' ' Stypende and allowaunce belonging 
to the usher" (Statutes. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 474). 

«o Provision of statutes of school at Seven Oaks (Carlisle, i., 621). 
' ' Yf the Under-Maister be in literature and in honest lyfe accordynge, then 
the Hygh Maisters rome vacante , let him be chosen before another ' ' 
(Statutes, St. Paul's, 1512. Carhsle, ii., 72). "And yf the said Chief 
Ussher be in literature, discretion, and honest lief, according, then The 
High Maister his roome being vacant, lett him be chosen before another" 
(Statutes of the Merchant Taylors', 1561. Carlisle, ii., 51). In Ipswich 
in 1604 there is record of a James Leman being elected as master of the 
Grammar School (Bacon, The Annals of Ipswche, 418) while in 1594 
there is record of a James Leman being ' ' p 'mitted to execute ' ' the place 
of usher until another should be elected. {Ibid, 377). In Whitchurch 
the usher was to be preferred if thought sufficient. — Statutes, 1570. 
C. C. R., xxiv., 337. 

*" Cf. supra, p. 73. In Sandwich the matter was to be referred to 
the founder during his life and after his death to the governors of the 
school. Failure to abide by the decision of either of them was to be 
punished by forfeiture of office (Boys, History of Sandwich, 225). The 
same provision existed in Oundle (Carlisle, ii., 216). 



CHAPTER IV 

ENGLISH GRAMMAR SCHOOL CURRICULA 

While the academic entrance requirements of the grammar 
schools varied, yet where such requirements existed they gener- 
ally included ability to read and write. Thus in Redgrave^ and 
Alford the candidate was to be able to ' ' read perfectly and write 
legibly,"^ while in St. Paul's and Merchant Taylors' the follow- 
ing sections of the statutes treat this matter: "The Maister 
shall admit these Children as they be ofhrid from tynie to tyme ; 
but first se, that they canne saye the Catechyzon, and also that 
he can rede and write competently, else let him not be admitted 
in no wise."* "But first see, that they can the Catechisme in 
English or Latyn, and that every of the said Two Hundreth and 
Fifty Schollers can read perfectly, and write competently, or 
else lett them not be admitted in no wise. ' '* In not a few cases 
ability to read meant ability to read Latin as well as English. 
Thus in Oundle^ and Sandwich the candidate was to be able to 
' ' write compententlie and to reade perfectlie both englishe and 
lattyne;"' in Tunbridge the master was to have authority to 
reject such as applied for gratis instruction unless they could 
"write competently, and read Latin and English perfectly;"^ 
while in Eye the candidates were to be able ' ' distinctly to read 
as well Latin as English,"* in Norwich they were to be able to 
say their catechism, read "perfectly both English and Latin, 
and write competently,"" and in Saint Savior the child was to 
be examined by the master before the Wardens, "whether he 
read English and Latin perfectly, and write his name, and being 
found able, ' ' his name was to be entered into the Register Book 

* Statutes, 1576. C. C. R., xxii., 151. 
^Statutes, 1599. Carlisle, i., 784. 

'St. Paul's Statutes, 1512. Carlisle, ii., 74. 

* Merchant Taylors' Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 54. 

* Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, ii., 216. 

' Statutes. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226. 
^ Statutes, Elizabeth. Carlisle, i., 628. 

* Constitutions of the Borough of Eye, 1566. C. C. R., xxii., 140. 

* Order of the Court of Assembly, 1566. S. I. C, xiii., 336. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth . 105 

and he was to be admitted.*" In a few instances the require- 
ments are more specific. Thus, in St. Alban 's the candidate had 
to pass an examination given by the master to determine how 
well he had mastered his "Accidence without booke."" In 
Thame no scholar was to be admitted unless " Anglice legendi 
bene longo usu confirmatus, primis rei grammaticae rudimentis 
imbibendis maturus,"^^ while in Shrewsbury the following 
statute deals with entrance requirements : ' ' (the candidate 
must be able) to write his own name with his own hand; read 
English perfectly; have his accidence without book, and give 
any case of any number of a noun substantive or adjective, any 
person of any number of a verb active or passive, and make a 
Latin by any of the concords, the Latin words being first given 
him. "'^ 

While some of the schools thus insisted upon an elementary 
•education as preparation for the grammar school and admitted 
^'none under a grammar scholar,"*^ not a few schools were 
l^urdened with the task of furnishing the elementary education 
as well as the higher.*^ Thus the school at Burford was to con- 
sist of "grammarian scholars" and "petties," "so that every 
man in the town and parish, minding to set his child to school, 

**• Statutes, 1562. Carlisle, ii., 584. 

" Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 516, 517. 

•* Statutes, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 267. 

" Statutes, 1577. Staunton, The Great Public Schools of England, 420. 

" Deed, 1599. Carlisle, i., 340. (Tiverton). 

^* Brinsley in h's Grammar School indicates the ideal in the words 
-of Philoponus: "For it were much to be wished, that none might be 
admitted to the Grammar schooles until they were able to reade English : 
.as namely that they could reade the new Testament perfectly, and 
that they were in their Accidences or meet to enter into them" (p. 13). 
The following words of Spoudeus probably express the feeling of many of 
the masters thus burdened : "It seemeth to mee an unreasonable thing 

that the Grammar schooles should be troubled with teaching A. B. C : 

Because it dooth take up almost one halfe of our time, and thereby dooth 

deprive us of a chiefe part of the fruite of our labours The very 

little ones in a towne, in most coimtrey townes which are of any bignesse, 
would require a whole man of themselves, to be alwaies hearing, poasing 

and following them: Besides, it is an extreame vexation, that we 

must bee toyled amongst such little pettyes. ' ' — John Brinsley, The 
Grammar School, p. 13. The school at Stevenage was released from 
this burden about 1562 when an endowed school was established by the 
parishioners for the teaching of Enghsh, writing and arithmetic. — 
■C. C. R., xxvii., 259. 



io6 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

being mere children having no infirmity or sickness, should be 
taught his A. B. C, his Catechism, primer, and to read and write 
until he should be able to be preferred to the grammar school, ' '^^ 
while in Burford," Ringwood,'* Wellingborough,'* and Worces- 
ter,^" reading and writing were to be taught.^' In Alford deeds 
of 1565 and 1568 included A. B. C. and English in the curri- 
culum" while the charter of 1576 omitted those subjects." 

In the statements of what was to be taught in the schools 
there are all degrees of definiteness and indefiniteness. In 
Leicester the pupils were to be instructed in ' 'good literature,' '^* 
in Rochdale in "learning of true piety and the Latin tongue,"" 
in Market Bosworth in ' ' bonis moribus ac Uteris, scientia, et 
virtute,"^^ in Ringwood in Latin, "godly discipline" and "all 
manner of humane doctrine ' ' as the ' ' customs of such good 
approved scholars required,"" in Mansfield in "such good 
authors as are commonly taught in the grammar schools, with 
the Scriptures,"^* while in Whitchurch the schoolmaster was 
to decide what authors should be read.^' In at least 35 of the 
grammar schools grammar was specifically prescribed.^** In 
Dedham,^' Plymouth," and Hartlebury,'^ grammar and writing 

"Statutes, 1571. S. I. C, xii., 217. 

" Statutes, 1571. Carlisle, ii., 295. 

"Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xi., 350. C. C. R., xiv., 529. 

" Order of the Chancery, Oct. 30, 1596. S. I. C, xii., 377. 

^"Letters Patent, 1561. C. C. R., xix., 520. 

" The Grammar School of St. Mary Redcliff , Bristol, was founded as 
a "grammar and writing school." Nicholas Taylor, Bristol, ii,202. 

22 S. I. C, xvi., 155, 157. 

^^ Ibid, 157. 

'* Letters Patent, 1564. S. I. C, xvi., 57. 

" Deed, 1564. S. I. C, xvii., 393. 

2«Deed, 1564. S. I. C, xvi., 41. 

"Deed, 1586. C. C. R., xiv., 529. 

^'Ordinances, 1564. S. I. C, xvi., 401. 

^* Statutes, 1570. C. C. R., xxiv., 337. 

'" See Appendix M. This number does not include cases mentioned 
in text. 

" Deed, 1571. S. I. C, xii., 47. 

'^ Deed, 1561. Worth, History of Plymouth, 269. 

'^"Also that the said Schoolmaster and Usher shall, at least one 
afternoon in every week, teach the Scholars of the said School to write 
and cast accounts, whereby their hands may be directed, and so they 
trained to write fair hands, and likewise not ignorant in reckoning and 
accounting." — Statutes, 1575. Carlisle, ii., 759. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 107 

were to be taught;^* in Bungay ^^ and Heighington'" writing and 
casting accounts were included in the curricula. In East Ret- 
ford instruction was to be given in ' * Grammar and other vir- 
tuous Doctrine,"" and in Kirkby Stephen "in Grammar and 
other humane doctrine,"'* while in Kirkby Kendal,'* Chipping^ 
Barnet,^" and Wakefield" the master was to bring the children 
up in "grammar and other good learning."*^ Singing was to 
be taught by a special master in the school at Coventry to those 
who desired to learn.*' 

While it is very probable that "grammar" in the majority 
of cases meant Latin grammar, yet in not a few cases both Latin 
and Greek were taught." Thus the school at Grantham was 
founded for ' ' the education of boys and youths in Latin and 
Greek,"** while in St. Bees the master was to "labor to make 
the scholars profit in Latin and Greek Grammar ' ' and to ' ' exer- 
cise them in the best Authors in both tongues."*' In the 

'* In Eye the master might do as he chose about teaching his pupils 
to write. — Constitutions of the Borough of Eye, 1566. C. C. R., xxii., 
140. 

36 ' ' Writing and casting accounts with the pen and counters ' ' were 
to be taught holidays and Saturdays upon which days school was to be 
kept until 3 P.M. for that purpose. — S.I. C, xiii., 135 (Statutes, 1591). 

" These subjects were to be taught on festival days. The master 
was to peruse the writing and cyphering of the pupils weekly and to 
"set their copies, without extra salary or pay." — Deed, 1601. S. I" C. , 
xix., 42. 

" Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 287. 

'* Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 715. 

"•Deed, 1588. S. I. C, xix., 363. 

*•* Letters Patent, 1573. S. I. C, xii., 108. 

*^ Letters Patent, 1592. Carlisle, ii., 910. 

" The following are a few more expressions similar to those just quoted : 
. "grammar and other virtuous and godly learning, according to Christ's 
religion" (Felsted, Deed, 1564. S. I. C, xiii., 59); "grammar and good 
morals" (Chevely, Letters Patent, 1568. S. I. C, xii., 483); and "gram- 
mar and good and virtuous manners" (Deed, 1559. Elmdon, S. I. C, 
xiii., 55). 

*' Benjamin Poole, Coventry: Its History and Antiquities, 245. 

** The qualifications of masters would indicate that Greek was taught 
in some cases. Cf. Thesis, p. 60. 

** Letters Patent, 1553. Carlisle, i., 805. Latin and Greek were'^to 
be taught in Wellingborough. — Order of the Court of Chancery,^. Oct. 
1596. S. I. C, xii., 377. 

*' Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157. 



io8 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Southwell Collegiate School the boys were to be instructed in 
Latin and Greek grammar and were to read the ' ' literas human- 
iores poetas et oratores."^'^ 

Somewhat more detailed are the specifications in the case of 
Hawkeshead, where the master was to "teach grammr and 
the pry ncy pies of the Greeke tongue, wth other Scyences neces- 
sarie to be taughte in a grammr schole;"*' he was to "teach 
and inform Greek and Latyne to such schollers of the same 
schole, as shall be most meete and apte for the same according 
to the dyscrecion of the said scholemaster"*'; during school 
hours he and his usher were to teach * ' all suche good Aucthors 
wch doe conteyne honeste Precepts of vertue, and good Lytera- 
turer, for the better education of youthe, ' ''" and in order that 
the master might see how the scholars had ' ' pfy ted " " the 
Chief est Schollars of the said Schole" were, at the breaking up 
time at Christmas and Easter, to "make Oracons, Epistles, 
verses in Latyne, or Greeke."" 

Still more detailed is our information concerning the curri- 
culum of the school at Witton, the statement of which resembles 
very much that of the curriculum of St. Paul's by Dean Colet." 

■" Statutes, 1585. S. I. C, xvi., 426. 

*' Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 472. 

*' Ibid, 473. 

" Ibid, 475- 

" Ibid, 104. 

" Dean Colet 's articles on this subject are here quoted in full so that 
comparison can easily be made. 

"WHAT SHALL BE TAUGHT. 

' ' As touching in this Scole what shall be taught of the Maisters, and 
learned of the Scolers, it passeth my witte to devyse, and determine in 
particular, but in general to speake and sume what to saye my mynde, I 
would they were taught always in good literature bothe Laten and Greeke, 
and good autors such as have the verrye Romayne eloquence joyned with 
wisdom, specially Cristen autors, that wrote their wisdome with clean 
and chaste Laten, other in verse or in prose, for my intent is by this 
Scole, specially to encrease knowledge and worshippinge of God and our 
Lord Christ Jesu, and good Cristen life and maners in the Children. 

' ' And for that entent I will the Children learne first above all the 
Catechizon in Englishe, and after the Accidens, that I made, or some other, 
yf any be better to the purpose, to induce Children more spedely to 
Laten speeche. And then Institutum Christiani Hominis, which that 
Learned Erasmus made at my requeste, and the boke called Copia of 
the same Erasmus. And then other authors Christian, as Lactantius, 
Prudentius, and Proba, and Sedulius, and Juvencus, and Baptista Man- 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 109 - 

The founder of the school at Witton wills that there be taught 
' ' good literature both Latin and Greek, Good Authors such 
as have the Roman Eloquence joined with Wisdom, especially- 
Christian Authors that wrote their Wisdom with clear and 
chaste Latin either in prose or verse ; ' ' the children were to 
"learn the Catechism, then the Accidence and Grammar set 
out by the King Henry the Eight, or some other if any can be 
better to the purpose to induce children to Latin speech, then 
Institutum, Christiani Hominis that learned Erasmus made, 
then Copia of the same Erasmus, Colloquium Erasmi, Ovidii 
Metamorphoses , Terrence, Tully, Horace, Salust, Virgil, and 
such others as shall be thought most convenient to the purpose 
unto true Latin Speech." "All Barbaric, all corruption, and 
filthiness, and such abusion which the blind world brought in" 
was to be banished entirely, and the master was charged to 
teach ' * alway that is best ' ' and to ' ' read to them such Authors 
as have with Wisdom joined the pure Eloquence. ' '" 

Where the staff consisted of two, the master and the usher, 
the latter was generally given the elementary work." Thus, 
in Ipswich the usher was elected to teach "to write. Cipher, 
and Cast accompt, chiefly suche as are to learn ye Grammer;"" 
in Aldenham^* the usher was to ' ' train up young beginners in 

tuanus, and suche others as shall be thought convenient and most to 
the purpose unto the true Laten speeche. All Barbary, all corruption, 
all Laten adulterate which ignorant blinde foles brought into this worlde, 
and with the same hath dystained and poysonyd the olde Laten speche, 
and the veraye Romayne tongue, whiche in the tyme of Tully and Sallust, 
and Virgell, and Terence was usid, whiche also Sainte Jerome, and Sainte 
Ambrose, and Sainte Austen, and many holy doctors lemed in theyre 
tymes. I saye that fylthiness and all suche abusion whiche the later 
blynde worlde brought in, whiche more rather may be called Blotterature 
then Literature, I utterly abannyshe and exclude out of this Scole, and 
charge the Maisters that they teche alwaye that is beste, and instruct 
the Children in Greke and redynge Laten, in redynge unto them suche 
autors that hathe with wisdome joyned the pure chaste Eloquence. ' ' — 
Statutes of St. Paul's, 1512. Quoted in Carlisle, ii., 76, 77. 

"Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 131. The statutes were made by the 
founder, Sir John Deane, Prebendary of Lincoln, and Rector of St. 
Bartholemew the Great near Smithfield, in London, with the assistance 
and advice of other learned men. Cf. Letter in Appendix K. 

" Cj. supra, p. 102. 

*° Nathll Bacon, The Annals of Ipswche, 418. 

" Cf. supra, p. 56 for qualifications of usher here. 



no English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

A. B. C, Primer, Catechism, and other EngUsh books."" In 
Leicester the usher was to teach the ' ' petits ' ' while the master 
taught the "upper grammar scholars."** In Wellingborough 
"English, writing, and casting accompts" were to be taught 
by the undermaster,** while in Saint Bees the usher was to 
teach ' ' the children to read and write English , and to say by 
heart the Catechism in English set forth by public authority, 
with the additions, and the Accidence ;"«" when the scholars 
were able to ' ' learn construction ' ' they were to be admitted 
into the master's school." 

The first books of construction in Latin and Greek in the 
school at Saint Bees were to be the smaller Catechisms "set 
forth by public authority for that purpose," which were to be 
learned in order that ' ' with knowledge of the tongues they 
(the scholars) may also learn their duty towards God and Man. ' '" 
The statutes of the school then proceed, "These books shall 
only be read in the said School, except it shall be otherwise 
appointed by those that have authority: — 

The A. B. C. in English. 

The Catechism in English, set forth by public authority. 

The Psalter and "^ 

Book of Common Prayer. >In English. 

The New Testament. J 

The Queen's Grammar, with the Accidence. 

The Small Catechism in Latin, publicly authorised. 

Confabulationes Puerile s. 

Msopi Fabulae. 

'^Epistolae Minores Selecte. 

Officiorum. 

De Amicitia. 

Lib. 



M. T. 

Ciceronis. 



1 



>■ In Prose. 



De Senectute. 

Tusculanarum Questionum. J 
Orationes, / 

or any other of his works. 

" Statutes, 1595. S. I. C, xii., 67. 

"Deed, 1574. C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 5, 4- 

*• Decree of the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, 1596. Carlisle, ii., 227. 

•"Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157. 

'^ Ibid, 157. 

"Ibid, 157, 158. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 1 1 



in Prose. 



>> In Verse. 



'Salustius. 
Justinus. 

Comentarii Caesaris. 
Q. Curtius. 

Distica Catonis. 

Terrentius. 

Vergilius. 

Horatius. 

B. Mantuanus. 

Pallurgenius. 

Buchanani Scripta. 

Sedulius. 

Pradentius. 

Ovidii Metamorphoses. 

Ovid: de Tristibus. 



"The Greek Grammar of Cleonard, or some other generally- 
allowed. 

"The little Greek Catechism set forth by public authority, 
or any other good Author in Greek. ' ' 

Concerning the reading of these books the founder then adds: 
■"The Schoolmaster may use his choice of these books, to take 
or leave as he thinketh meet, to be appointed for every Form, 
saving that the Accidence, the Queen's Grammar, and the 
Catechism aforesaid, shall not be omitted. And the School- 
master shall not suffer his Scholars to have any lewd or super- 
-stitious books or ballads amongst them. ' '" 

While in the statutes just quoted mention is made of ' * forms, ' ' 
no information is given concerning either the number of such 
forms or the amount of work to be done in each. As the forms 
varied in number from three to seven, the amount of work to 
be accomplished varied accordingly. Our information con- 
cerning some of the schools thus divided into forms is very 
limited. 

In Oundle there were to be three forms. In the first, the 
master was to teach the grammar approved by the Queen's 
Majesty, and the Accidence and English Rules; in the second, 



•^Ibid, 158. 



112 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Mr. Nowell's Little Catechism; and in the third, Mr. Nowell's 
Large Catechism." 

In Guisbrough and East Retford there were to be four forms. 
The statute in Guisbrough reads as follows : ' ' The School 
shall be divided into Four several forms, — and in the first shall 
be placed young beginners, commonly called, 'Petits,' — whom 
the Master himself shall not be bound to teach so long as they 
continue there, but only assign so many of his Scholars in the 
third and fourth Forms, as may suffice to instruct;" and when 
they were able to ' ' read perfectly ' ' they were admitted into 
the second form; in the higher forms they were to be taugh^j. 
the rules of grammar exercises and Latin books." The work 
of the four forms in East Retford was divided as follows: 

First Form"'^ 
A. B. C." 

Inflection of Nouns and Verbs.'* 
Acquisition of small Latin vocabulary." 

Second Form 

' ' Usual repetition of the inflection of Nouns and Verbs, 
which is attained in the first form. ' ' 



"Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 215. This probably represents but 
part of the work accomplished. It is the only definite requirement 
mentioned in the statutes. 

"Statutes, 1561. C. C. R., viii., 724. Carlisle, ii., 806. 

*° Besides the work outlined in the text the ' ' more prone natures ' ' 
were to have ' ' some part of the year spared for them " to " hear the 
explication of TuUie 's Epistles written ad Terrentiam Uxorem or Tyronem 
Libertum for the familiar phrase in the same. ' ' — Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, 
ii., 283. 

" The master and usher were to diligently teach and read ' ' the figures 
and characters of letters to join, write, sound and pronoimce the same 
plainly and perfectly." — Statutes. Ibid, 283. 

" If this matter was attended to with diligence, it was thought by the 
governors that ' ' a good and apt nature in one year might attain a perfect 
reading, pronoimcing and declining of nouns and verbs. ' ' — Statutes. 
Ibid, 283. 

" This to be accomplished by commanding the scholars to write certain 
words from the ' ' Epistles ' ' read to them and to repeat the same on the 
next morning. — Statutes. Ibid, 283. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 113 

"A more full explication of the Eight Parts of reason, with 
the Syntaxis or Construction. ' ' 

"Colloquia Erasmi, and some harder Epistles of Tully."'" 

Translation of English into Latin. 

Old and New Testaments. 

Salust, Salern, and Justinian's Institutes." 

Third Form 

' ' King 's Majesty 's Latin Grammar. ' ' 

"Virgil, Ovid, and Tully's Epistles." 

' ' Copia Erasmi verborum et rerum., or so many of the said 
Authors as the said Schoolmaster shall think convenient for the 
capacity and profit of his Scholars. ' ' 

Daily translation of English into Latin." 

Constant review of the Eight Parts of Speech. 

Fourth Form 

"The breves and longs." 

' ' Verses. ' ' 

Latin Epistles.'' 

Greek and Hebrew Grammar, ' ' if the master were expert 
in the same.' ' 

Greek authors, so far as the master 's ' ' learning and convenient 
time will serve thereunto. ' ''* 

Inasmuch as the school at Thames was patterned after that 
at Winchester," it is very probable that the master in dividing 
his school into classes imitated the division of the latter school 
into four forms, the Sixth, Fifth, Fourth, and Lower Fourth 
(Quarta Secunda).''^ The master was to "instruct the youth" 

'"These were to be "dissolved and discussed verbatim, and the reason 
for every construction shewed." — Statutes. Ibid, 283. 

""If the Schoolmaster and Usher be seen in the same." — Statutes. 
Ibid, 283. 

'^ Every day the master was to give to his scholars ' ' one English to 
be made into Latin." Statutes. Ibid, 283. 

'^ "They of this Form shall write every week some Epistle in Latin, 
and give it to the said Master or Usher at the end of the Week. ' ' Sta- 
tutes. Ibid, 283-4. 

'* Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 283-4. 

'* S. I. C, xii., 266; also A. F. Leach, A History of Winchester, 306. 

"Leach, A History of Winchester, 272. For list of authors read at 
Winchester in 1550 see Appendix N. 

8 



114 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

in making verses and in writing prose. The books recommended 
to be read were Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Plautus, Cicero, Livy, 
Salust, Justin, Herodian, Terence and Lucian.'" 

While it is not explicitly stated in our material that the 
school at Cheltenham was divided into forms, it is evident 
from the following provisions that some such division was 
contemplated: the school was to consist of fifty pupils; four 
at least of these were to have a knowledge of the Greek and 
Latin tongues sufficient to make exercises in prose and verse 
in them and to speak Latin extempore; four others were to be 
"able to make a sentence of true Latin"; fourteen others were 
to be ready to learn the accidence, while the residue were to be 
children of "good aptness to learn."" 

The cases thus far noted have been (a) those in which there is 
no information concerning any division, (b) those in which there 
is a division into master's and usher's schools, and (c) those 
in which the division is into forms. Still another type, a com- 
bination of (b) and (c) , existed. The case is that of the school 
at Sandwich, which was divided into six forms," the lower three 
of which were known as the "Usher's Forms," the other three 
as the "Master's Forms." The division of work into Forms 
was defended by the founder of the school on the ground that 
"digressinge in order of teachinge accordinge to the seuerall 
natures and disposicions of everie scholemaster or usher was a 
great hindrance to the scholars," and he believed that "a con- 
venient direccion therein of some ordinarie bookes to be read 
and some exercises to be used might greatly further the schol- 
ars. "*" But the following outline was not to be a hard and fast 
manual, as the master was bound to follow only what he thought 
most expedient. 

The Usher's Forms 

First Form 

"Accidence to the rules of construction." 
Exercise * ' in declyning of nownes and verbes according to the 
fourm prescribed in the preface to the Queen's grammer." 

"Statutes, 1574- S. I. C, xii., 66. 

"Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., 33. 

'• As only six years were to be allowed for the completion of the entire 
course, it is very probable that each of the forms represented the work of a 
single year. — Statutes. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226. 

»» Statutes. 1580. Ibid, 230 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 115 

Second Form 
Rules of construction. 
Cato to be read to the scholars. 
Exercise ' ' in making of latyne, and other lyke by discrecion. ' ' 

Third Form 

' ' Suche lattine catachisme as shalbe sett fourth by publique 
aucthoritie ' ' and ' ' the dialoge of Castilio ' ' were to be read to 
the scholars. 

Exercise "in turning of lattin into english and english into 
lattin, and other lyke, by discrecion."" 

The Master's Forms 

Fourth Form 

"Terrence, the epistells of Tulley chosen by Sturing, and 
Apthonii progymnamata " were to be read to the scholars. 

Exercise "in varieng of latine and in practicing the exer- 
cises of Apthonius at tymes appointed, and other lyke, by dis- 
creacion. ' '" 

Fifth Form 

"Salust, TuUis offices, with rules of verefienge, and Virgills 
eglogs, or some chaste poet," were to be read to the scholars. 

Exercises of Fourth Form. 

Extemporanious disputations, "and other lyke, by discrea- 
cion. ' '" 

Sixth Form 

"Tullies oracions, Virgills eneidos, the epistells of Horace 
and certain of his chaste odes chosen ' ' were to be read to the 
scholars. 

Exercises of the Fifth Form, "with the making of verse, and 
other lyke, by discreacion. "" 

" Statutes. Ibid, 230. 

*' Statutes. Ibid, 230. 

*^ Statutes. Ibid, 231. The scholars under the master "for furnishing 
of their declaracions, disputations, and other exercises," were to be 
"cauled upon to have and read in private studie Livie, all good histories, 
poets, books of common phrases, sentences, apothegmes, and suche 
lyke. ' ' 

** Statutes. Ibid, 231. 



1 16 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

As to the number of books to be read, Roger Manwood, the 
Founder, expresses the following opinion: "In myne opynion, 
during a schollers remayninge in the grammer schole, he should 
learne but a fewe books in lattin, and in greek correspondent 
to them, ' ' and was not to be suffered to ' ' rove in many awcthors,. 
but fewe should be learned most perfectlie, and then he maie 
after with better judgement reade as many as he lyste. ' '** 

While in some cases the content of the curriculum was pre- 
scribed or indicated by the statutes of the school, it is evident 
from the silence of many of the statutes on this subject that 
much if not all was left to the discretion of the master.^' In a 
few cases a church official was authorized to exercise this dis- 
cretion. Thus, in the case of Tadcaster the master was to give 
instruction in ' ' Grammar and such like authors and books as 
shall be thought meet by the Lord Archbishop of York. ' '*' 
while in Heighington the schoolmaster was to instruct his 
scholars "in the accidence and Lilly's grammar and in the 
Greek grammar, and other easy Latin and Greek authors, 
according to their capacities and as the Bishop of Durham for 
the time being shall direct."'* The Latin grammar here men- 
tioned was the one which was supposed to be used throughout 
the realm during this reign as it had not only been allowed** 
by Her Majest}^ but its use commanded by Queen Elizabeth 
in her injunctions of 1559,'° and by the Archbishop in his 
articles of visitation." 

*^ Statutes. Ibid, 231-2. 

*' In Kirkby Stephen the master was to read to his scholars the ten 
commandments in the Latin and "Cato, jEsop's Fables, Tulley's Offices, 
and de Senectute, and Hkewise, Sallust, Virgill, and Terence, and such 
others." — Statutes, 1566, Carlisle, ii., 717. 

"Statutes, 1586. S. I. C, xviii., 274. 

'* Articles annexed to Deed, 1601. S. I. C, xix., 42. 

*' In Cheltenham (Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., 33) and Aldenham the 
master was to use the ' ' common Latin grammar approved by the autho- 
rity of the Queen's Majesty (Statutes, 1599. S. I. C, xii., 65). 

•"Injunctions of Queen Elizabeth, 1559. 

' ' XXXIX. Item, That every schoolmaster and teacher shall teach 
the Grammar set forth by king Henry VIII. of noble memory and con- 
tinued in the time of king Ed. VI., and none other." — Quoted in Card- 
well's Annals, i., 194. 

" Articles of visitation, 1559. 

"Item, Whether there be any other grammar taught in any school 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 117 

Meagre as is the material contained in sources concerning the 
-content of the grammar school curricula, still less information 
is to be obtained from the statutes, letters patent, and deeds, 
concerning the methods of instruction. In Seven Oaks the 
master was to teach according to the methods used in the * ' School 
of St. Paul's in London,"*- while in Wimborne the master was 
to give instruction according to the usage of the Schools of 
Eton and Winchester.*^ From the absence of specifications 
in the many other cases, it is safe to conclude that the majority 
of masters were left to follow their own ideas, or the methods 
in common used in the schools at that time. Philoponous in 
Brinsley's Grammar School is probably a good example 
of master following his own ideas, while Spoudeus, the creation 
of the same author, is a fair representative of the master sub- 
servient to the customs of the day. In fact it is from the part 
of the latter in the dialogue that we learn the most concerning 
the methods in teaching the A. B. C. as well as composing and 
delivering orations then in common use. 

In teaching the A. B. C. the common practice seems to have 
been to have the children read over and over the letters for- 
wards and backwards until they could say them.** This was 
followed by drill in combinations of letters and sounds." Where 
writing was taken up with this work, in many cases daily copies 
were "set" by the teacher or one of the scholars, the teacher 
sometimes guiding the hand of the learner and showing him 
liow to "amend" his letters.*" As for the other elementary 

within this diocese than that set forth by the authority of king Henry 
the Eight." — Quoted in Cardwell's Annals, {., 213. 

Archbishop Parker's visitation articles, 1569. 

"Whether they (schoolmasters) teach any other grammar than such as 
is appointed by the queen 's majestie 's injunction annexed to the same, 
or no." Cardwell, Annals, i., 326. 

•^Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 

*^ Letters Patent, 1563. Carlisle, i., 385. 

** Brinsley, The Grammar School, 15. 

** Cf. Thesis, p. 112, footnote 67. 

•' Brinsley, The Grammar School, 28. Writing was also taught by 
■"wandering scriveners," who, according to Brinsley, drew "away the 
mindes of many of the SchoUars from their bookes; even of all such as 
cannot indure to take pains, nor have any great love of learning ' ' and also 
caused many ' ' of good hope to leave the schoole utterly. ' ' — The Grammar 
School, 38. 



1 18 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

subject, "numbers," the results do not seem to have been very 
gratifying for, according to Brinsley, scholars almost ready to 
go to the University were to be found who could ' ' hardly tell 
you the number of pages, sections, chapters, or other divisions 
in their books, to find what they should. ' ' " 

When the child entered upon the study of Latin, his English, 
which appears to have generally suffered great neglect," was 
anything but improved,'* since attention appears to have been 
focused upon Latin alone. Accidence was the first to receive 
attention. In learning to "reade the Accedence" the pupil 
by himself read it over and then the master heard him recite; 
while in the harder lessons the master read it over to the pupils ; 
the accidence was thus read over several times with the book 
before the scholars attempted to get it without the book when 
the same method was used, the pupils being compelled ' ' to keep 
what they had learned by weekely repetitions,^"" and by saying 
parts. """ The process of learning the rules of grammar appears 

" Brinsley, The Grammar School, 25. 

** The following extract from the dialogue throws light on this point : 

Philoponus. 

"But to tell you what I thinke, wherein there seems unto mee, to 
bee a verie maine want in all our Grammar schooles generally, or in 
most of them ; whereof I have heard som great learned men to complain ; 
That there is no care had in respect to traine up schollars so, as they 
may be able to expresse their minds purely and readily in our owne 
tongue, and to increase in practice of it as well as in the Latine or Greeke, ' * 

Spoudeus. 

" I do not know any schoole wherein there is regard had thereof 
to anie purpose." — The Grammar School, 22. 

•• Spoudeus. 

"When my children doe first enter into Latine, manie of them will 
forget to reade English, and some of them bee worse two or three yeeres 
after they have been in construction, then when they began it." — 
The Grammar School, 21. 

*"" Thus in East Retford (Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 283) and in 
Sandwich the pupils were upon Saturdays, or upon Friday, if Saturday 
happened to be a holiday, to rehearse the "learning of that week neare 
spent" (Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 231). 

'"^ Brinsley, The Grammar School, 53. In East Retford, the first part 
of the morning in the first four days of the school week was devoted to 
saying over ' ' one of the Eight Parts of Speech like as the manner and 
fashion is of all Grammar Schools, and upon Friday Sum, es fui, with his 
compounds, as shall seem to the Schoolmaster convenient." — Statutes, 
1552. Carlisle, ii., 283. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 119 

to have been a long and tiresome one; the rules were learned 
"without booke"'"^ and in spite of the application in "parsing 
and giving the rules' ' of the lectures the scholars would forget.'"* 
The accidence and the rules in grammar were, however, but 
preparatory to what appears to have held the chief place in the 
grammar schools, construction, or the translation of Latin into 
English, which with respect to the order observed in the process 
was not infrequently an artificial process.*"^ The lecture method 
was used chiefly because of the lack of books for the pupils.'"* 
The master either read the passage himself or superintended 
its reading by one of the pupils of the higher forms.'"' The 
master then parsed'" or construed the passage.'"* The 
disadvantages of such a method are evident. It encouraged 
activity in the teacher but a tendency toward passivity or mere 
receptivity in the pupils; the teacher was compelled to prepare 
and give lectures in which he gave the construction, which 

'"^ Brinsley, The Grammar School, 70. 

^"^Ibid, 85. 

'"* The following is the order observed in construing of a sentence 
given by Brinsley: "If there be a Vocative case I must put that first; 
then I must seek out the principal! Verbe and his Nominative case, and 
construe first the Nominative case; and if there be an Adjective or Par- 
ticiple with him, then I must English them next, and such wordes as 
they goveme; then the Verbe; and if there follow an Infinitive moode, I 
must take that next; then and lastly, all the other cases in their order; 
first the Genitive, secondly the Dative, etc." — The Gramm,ar School, 

92-3- 

'"«C/. Infra, 139. 

'"* According to Brinsley it was as easy for the master to give the 
lecture as to hear it given by the upper forms. — Grammar School, 89. 

'"' Parsing was done chiefly in the lower forms. In parsing the master 
noted "what part of speech every word was," how it was declined or 
conjugated and "all questions belonging thereunto;" "what each 
word is governed of, the rules for everything, and the like." — Gram-mar 
School, 125. Concerning the time spent in parsing: — "There is so much 
time spent in examining everything; the Master asking each question 
particularly, and the scholar answering; which besides the loss of time, 
is a very great wearinesse to the Master." — Gramm.ar School, 138. It 
was probably to avoid this ' ' loose of time ' ' and ' ' great wearinesse to the 
Master" that the following statute was made in Sandwich: — "In the 
pearcing the teacher shall not need more than to examyn which scholler 
he will at adventure which words he will in the lesson. ' ' — Boys, History 
of Sandwich, 231. 

^^^ Gram.mar School, 41. 



1 20 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

the class was supposed to take in and remember. i"' Not in- 
frequently the scholars missed parts of the construction"" 
which together with a natural tendency to forget'" resulted 
in placing a dependence upon leaders in the class.'" In hear- 
ing the lesson the master heard ' ' them whether they could 
read, say without book, construe and parse. ""^ In Sand- 
wich every lesson was to be " said without book and to be 
construed into English by every scholar reading that author; 
the words first to be Englished seuevrallie as the grammatical 
construction lieth, and afterwards the whole sentence or lesson 
rehearsed in english as it lieth together.""^ All things tended 
to be done ' ' without understanding the reason of them or how 
to make use of anything. ' '"^ 

The use of translations of which there were thus early"' 
various types'" appears to have been opposed by some of the 

^''* Grammar School, 120. 

""/6id, 89. 

"' This failing seems to have been common in all parts of the work, 
in the rules of grammar, in parsing, and in construction, and appears 
to have caused the master trouble not only in the schoolroom but also 
outside. Cf. Following: "When gentlemen or others come in and 
examine them, or their friends try them at home in things they learned 
a quarter, or halfe a yeere before; they are ordinarily found so rawe, 
and to have so forgotten, that I do receive great reproach." — Gram,mar 
School, 90. 

"^ Spoudeus. 

"And if the chiefe of the fourme mistake or goe false, all the rest 
of the fourme likewise construe false, because they depend on them. 

They also are afraide to ask me so manie things, and it may 

bee thee same things againe and againe: whereby it commeth to passe 
that when they come to say, fewe of them can construe, or hardly any of 
them perfectly; which increaseth oft my passion, and their fears." — 
Grammar School, 90. 

^^^ Gramm.ar School, 41. 

"^Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 231. 

^^^ Gram.m.ar School, 41. 

"'By 1 61 2, Brinsley himself had translated "grammatically" the 
following "Schoole Authors:" " Puerile s confabulatiunculae, Sententian 
pueriles, Cato, Corderius dialogues, Esops fables, Tullies Epistles gathered 
by Sturmius, Tullies Offices with the books adjoined to them — de Amicitia, 
Senectute, Paradoxes, — Ovid de Tristibus, Ovids Metamorphosis, and 
Virgil." Brinsley, Gramm.ar School, 121. 

"' Those mentioned by Brinsley were the interlinear, the word after 
word type, and the type with the Latin on one page and the English on the 
opposite. — Gram-mar School, pp. 116-11S. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 121 

" ' best and wisest Schoole-masters ' ' on the grounds that they 
■hurt the scholars by leading them ' ' amisse very ordinarily in 
construing, almost in every sentence" and were found to 
^'make Schollars Truants, or to goe by rote.""' 

Hardly less important than the construing was the work in 
Latin composition. This progressed from the translation of 
simple English sentences in the lower forms, through Latin epis- 
tolary, themes and verses to Latin orations."' 

In describing ' ' the ordinary manner in countrey Schooles, 
to enter Schollars to make Latin ' ' Brinsley states that the 
scholars were given vulgar s, or English devised by the teacher, 
which were to be made into Latin at first under the immediate 
supervision of the master who "taught and heard them, how 
to make every word in Latine, word by word, according to 
their rules," but which were later made into Latin within a 
specified time and then corrected'^" by the teacher who did 
not fail to rebuke the pupil sharply for his faults and who in 
assigning the next ' ' English ' ' probably told the Latin for the 
hardest words.'" 

In the Latin epistolar^^ the aim was an approximation to 
Cicero's style. To aid in the realization of this aim Cicero's 
epistles were read to the pupils as were also parts of Macropedius 

^^^ Grammar School, 115-16. They gave the sense of the authors 
translated but failed to assist the pupil in the grammatical understanding 
of the author. Ibid, 116. 

"• Thus in Sandwich the usher every Monday was to deliver an ' ' eng- 
lishe of ij lynes ' ' to his second form, and of " x lynes ' ' to his third form' 
which were to be translated ' ' into lattin at their vacant tymes against 
Thursday afternoon. '^' "Against the same tyme" the master was to 
deliver to the fourth form ' ' some epystell which he hath englished owte 
of TuUey;" to the fifth form "some matter translated owte of TuUey, 
Cesar, or Livie;" and to the sixth form, "some question whereof them- 
selves shall write m,arte propris." — Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of 
Sandwich, 231 C",'. a so Appendix P. After dinner on Thursday 
"everie schollers doings" were to be "red, the faults gentlie shewed, 
translasion compared with the original and then the children disimssed 
to play." — Loc. cit. 

'^" Spoudeus makes the following observation about much of this 
work: "Moreover, this I have knowne for certaine, that many yotmg 
schollars the more confusedly that they can transpose, or disorder the 
words of a sentence, the more excellent they think it to be. ' ' — Gram.mar 
School, 158. 

^^^ Gram,mar School, 148. 



122 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

or Hegendorphinus de conscrihendis Epistolis, an attempt being' 
made to follow the rules therein contained.^" 

The ideal in theme writing was a production ' ' couched full 
of good matter, written in pure style and with judgment. ' ''^' 
The theme was analyzed into its different parts the aims and 
objects of each of which were then studied.*^* From the des- 
cription of this part of the work given by Spoudeus it would 
appear that it was discouraging to the teacher and worse to 
the pupil.'" 

'^^ Spoudeus in the same place thus describes the efforts of the pupils r 
"They will frame them of long sentences, matters unfit for an Epistle,, 
flash and to little purpose, but very childish, and more like unto a Theame 
or an Oration then to an Epistle. Thus I see it to be also amongst the 
chiefe of the SchoUars. " — Grammar School, i66. 

^^^ Gramm^ar School, 172. 

*^* Their 'aims were (i) Exordium, short, "to gaine the appro- 
bation of the hearers and their attention" (p. 179); (2) Narration, to 
give hearers a clear understanding of the matter (p. 180); (3) Confir- 
tnatio, proofs and reasons given, authors quoted etc (p. 180); (4) Con- 
futatio, to make attacks on weak points of contrary view and to anticipate 
possible objections by answering them (p. 181); Conclusio, "a collection 
gathered from all the former reasons — to leave a deeper impression in 
minds of hearers." — Gram,m.ar School, 181. 

'*' The methods and discouraging results are thus described by Spou- 
deus : — 

"I haue according to the custome in Schooles, read them some 
of Apthonius rules, and so it may be, haue begun with Apologues or 
Fables, or rather with Chreia: and in their Chreia, I haue first made 
the seueral parts of it, or of their Theame so handled, very plaine unto 
them, with the manner of proofes of it; and of gathering reasons tO' 
amplifie it, according to the same. 

"I haue giuen them a Theame to make, following the example in> 
their booke, to prosecute the same parts of the Theame, as Exordium.,, 
narratio, confirm-atio, confutatio, conclusio, and also to follow the seueral 
places, to amplifie each thing by. I haue withall shewed them how 
to doe it: as to trie what they could gather of themselues; and withall 
to seeke Tullies sentences what they could find out of it, or out of other 
bookes to their purpose. But yet (alas!) that which my children haue 
done hereby for a long time, they haue done it with exceeding paines 
and feare, and yet too — too weakly, in harsh phrase, without any inuen- 
tion, or judgement; and ordinarily so rudely, as I haue been ashamed 
that any one should see their exercises. So as it hath driuen mee into 
exceeding passions, causing me to deale ouer rigorously with the poore 
boies. Whereby some of them, whose parents haue been more tender, 
seeing their children heauy and vnwilling to the Schoole, haue suffered 
them to leaue off the Schoole, and so to lose all which they had gottent 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 123 

Verse writing was probably the most difficult work attempted 
by the grammar school scholars. It was found to "be full of 
difficultie, both in the entering, the progresse, and also in the 
end/'^^' H. C. Maxwell-Lyte, writing of Eton life in 1560, 
says concerning this subject, ' ' No Gradus ad Parnassum then 
existed, to assist the would-be poets in finding suitable words 
for their compositions, and they had to rely on the contents 
of their own note-books for flowers phrases, or idioms of 
speech, antitheses, epithets, synonyms, proverbs, similes, com- 
parisons, anecdotes, descriptions of times, etc."^" While the 
following sentence was included in the statutes of but one 
school, it probably stated a custom very common in England 
at that time: "The phrases, synanomies, and elagancies 
shall be chosen owte and appointed to the schollers to write. ' ''^^ 

The writing and declamation of orations does not appear to' 
have been as common as efforts in the other lines of Latin com- 
position. Brinsley thus describes its place in the curriculum, 
its object, and the chief characteristics of the average oration: 

' * I take them to belong rather to the Universities 

Yet, because in Schooles of special note, and where there are 
auncient schoolars, sometimes it may be expected amongst 
them, that some one of them should make an Oration to enter- 
taine a Benefactor, or other person of note; and it may be, to 
do it ex tempore, as their comming is of a sodaine; therefore 

before; others also haue been made so feareful, that they would rather 
desire to go to any base trade or drudgery, then to be SchoUars, & hereby 
haue very much reproached my Schoole: Because, as they haue ouer- 
rightly complained, they must bee beaten for not doing that, which they 
knew not how to doe; so that this feare is worse to them, then the first 
for making Latines. 

' 'And yet notwithstanding, in their entring to make Theames, and 
so likewise into versifying, I haue not knowen how to auoid it, but haue 
bin enforced to vse so much sharpnesse, as to make them to call all 
their wits together, and to stir them vp to diligence and paines ; or other- 
wise I should not have done no good at all." Brinsley, The Grammar 
Schoole, pp. 1 7 1-2. 

''* Spoudeus continues, ' ' that my schollars haue had more feare in 
this then in all the former, and my selfe also driuen to more seuerity; 
which I haue been inforced vnto, or else I should haue done no good at 
al with the greatest part." — Grammar School, 191. 

^^^ History of Eton College, 150. 

"* Sandwich, Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 231. 



124 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth- 

certaine special heads of an Oration to that purpose might 
be ever in readinesse. As the commendations of a person for 
liis descent, learning, loue, and countenance of good learning 
& vertue, beneficence, curtesie, fauor towards that place, and 
the like. Also for excusing themselues by their tender yeers, 
want of experience and of practice in that kind, bashfulnesse, 
timorousnesse ; and yet their desire to answere the parties 
loue & expectation, with presuming vpon their patience, and 
such others. To be acquainted also with variety of choice 
phrases to the same purposes, to haue them euer in fresh mem- 
ory. "'29 

While this study of the contents and methods of the curricula 
of the Grammar Schools in the reign of Queen Elizabeth in- 
dicates that the aim of these schools was the development of 
good Latin scholars, a study of the school life of the pupils 
will show that the educational aim of the period was more 
comprehensive in that it was moral and religious as well as 
scholastic. 

"'Grammar School, 189. 



CHAPTER V 

THE PUPILS; SCHOOL LIFE AND CUSTOMS 

The number of pupils per grammar school varied greatly. 
Thus the endowment for the school at Penryn was for the educa- 
tion of three boys while the attendance at Shrewsbury in 1581 
is given as 360.* From the list given in Appendix Q, however, 
it would appear that the attendance of a large proportion of 
schools varied between 40 and 60. 

It appears to have been the purpose of those interested in the 
grammar schools that the schools be of assistance to children of 
all classes.^ While the sons of the rich and of the nobility 
attended grammar schools as at Shrewsbury,' the schools were 
founded for the poor as well as the rich^ and in some places the 
poor were to be given the preference.* Even when tuition fees 
were allowed the master there were usually a certain number 
of "foundationers," or poor pupils who were freed from the 

* Cf. Appendix Q. 

^ Thus, according to the agreement made between the Cathedral and 
City Corporations in Lincoln in 1583 (S. I. C.,xvi., 259), the school was 
to be open to children of freemen, of such as dwell within the city, liber- 
ties, and county thereof, of the inhabitants within the close of the cathe- 
dral church, and the liberties of the same, and of the choristers and poor 
clerks of the said cathedral. 

* Cf. Appendix L. 

^ Thus, the school at St. Savior was erected in order that the "male 
Children and youth as well of the poor as the rich inhabiting within the 
said Parish ' ' might be ' ' freely and successfully instructed and educated 
in grammar." — Letters Patent 1562. Carlisle, ii., 583. Again, the 
master and usher of the school at King's Lynn (Records of the Corpora- 
tion, 1594. C. C. R., xxviii., 25), were to teach the "burgesses' children 
and other poor men 's children. ' ' This last reference would indicate 
that the term poor does not necessarily apply only to the most destitute. 

* E. G., Redgrave (Statutes, 1576. S. I. C, xiii., 129). In St. Albans 
"poor men's children" were to be "received into the school before 
others'' (Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 516), in Seven Oaks the master 
was to teach grammar to "whatsoever poor children destitute of help, 
coming thither for Learning for God's cause freely" (Statutes, 1574. 
Carlisle, i., 619), while in Abingdon the preference was to be given to 
the fatherless, widows' and poor men's children (Founder's Deed, 1562. 
S. I. C, xi., 396). 



126 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

payment of tuition fees.' In a few cases positive assistance 
was rendered to poor students.' In Lichfield six poor pupils, 
• selected from the children of poor men in Lichfield were to re- 
ceive £i 6s. 8d. each for the purchase of books and brooms with 
which to sweep the school for four years.' In Witton the foun- 
der wills that ' ' there shall be forever given and distributed and 
bestowed among the poor Schollars of my Free School and 
Parish of Witton los. in the Vigil or Eve of the birth of Our 
Lord God, one half thereof among the said poor folks."" 
In Crediton the Queen, in her Letters Patent, willed that the 
governors of the school should ' ' distribute yearly ;^8 out of the 
revenues of the said Rectory and Church of Crediton amongst 
Four boys of the same Parish of the best disposition and capacity 
for Grammatical Learning" and in the greatest need of ex- 
hibition and maintenance;'" while in Kirkby Stephen a poor 
scholar was employed as usher." 

Restrictions, where they existed," pertained to sex, age, 
scholarship,'^ and territory rather than to the social and economic 

' Thus, in Colchester i6 of the 60 scholars were to be "Free Scholars" 
(1583, Thomas Cromwell, History of the Ancient Town and Borough of 
Colchester in Essex, ii., 312) while in St. Savior the master was to be 
allowed to take 40 pay scholars out of the 100 (Statutes, 1562. Carlisle, 
ii., 684). 

' The ' ' foundationers " in a large number of the cathedral and col- 
legiate schools received board and lodgings and a small sum of money. 
Cf. Appendix U; cf. also following quotation from Harrison's Descrip- 
tion of England, Bk. ii.. Chap, iii., 83-84: "There are in like maner 
diuerse coUegiat churches as Windsor, Wincester, Eaton, Westminster, 
and in those a great number of poore scholers, dailie mainteened by the 
liberalitie of the founders, with meat, bookes, and apparell, from whence 
after they haue beene well entered in the knowledge of the Latine and 
Greek toongs, and rules of versifieng (the trial whereof is made by cer- 
taine apposers yearelie appointed to examine them), they are sent to 
certaine especiall houses in each universitie, where they are receiued 
and trained up in the points of higher knowledge in their priuate hals, 
till they be adjudged meet to shew their faces in the schooles. " 

* Deed, 1555. CarUsle, ii., 479. 

' 1558, Carlisle, i., 134. 

'"1559, Carlisle, i., 258. 

"Founder's Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 717. Cf. also Supra, 56. 

"In the case of Berkhamsted (Act of Parliament, 1549. S. I. C, % 
xii., 74) there were no limitations as to age, sex, locality, or condition 
. of parents . 

" For these entrance requirements cf. supra, 104. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 127 

•standing of the parent. Thus, with but a few exceptions the 
'grammar schools were open to boys and youths alone;'* the 
entrance age varied from 6 to 9,'^ while the age of leaving 
varied from 12 to 20; **while the school in not a few cases 
-was founded for the boys and youths of the parish/' town 
or borough*' in which it was situated, its privileges being 
sometimes extended to the neighboring places," county or 

" In Bunbury girls were to be admitted but their number was to be 
small and none were to continue ' ' above the age of nine nor longer than 
they may learn to read English." — Statutes, 1594. S. I. C, xvii., 23. 

" Six or over was the entrance age at Witton (Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, 
i., 182), between 6 and 18 at Tiverton (Deed, 1599. Carlisle, i., 340) 
and between 8 and 18 at Cropredy (Deed, 1574. S. I. C, xii., 232), 
while William Burton entered Nuneaton at 9 (D. N. B., viii., 18). 
Spoudeus in Brinsley's "Grammar School," p. 9, says concerning the 
age of admission : ' ' For the time of their entrance with us, in our 
countrey schooles, it is commonly about 7 or 8 yeeres olde: six is very 
■soone. If any begin so early, they are rather sent to the schoole to keepe 
them from troubling the house at home, and from danger, and shrewd 
tumes, then for any great hope and desire their friends have that they 
■should leame any thing in effect. ' ' 

*' Ralph Brownrig, later Bishop of Exeter, left Ipswich for Cambridge 
at the age of 12 (D. N. B., VII., 83) ; 15 was the age at which John Overall 
left Hadleigh (D. N. B., XLII., 375) and Sir Edward Coke, Norwich 
(D. N. B., XI., 229) for Cambridge; William Burton left Nuneaton at 16 
for Oxford {loc. cit.), while Robert Bolton left Blackburn for the same 
university at the age of 20 (D. N. B., V., 330). 

" Such was the provision at Wakefield (Letters Patent, 1591. S. I. C, 
xviii., 294). 

" Such was the provision at Kendal (Deed, 1588. S. I. C, xix., 363), 
Abingdon (Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396) and Kimbolton (Deed, 1600. 
C. C. R., xxiv., 47). In Norwich the parents or friends of the pupils 
Jiad to be residents of the city (Statutes, 1566. S. I. C, i.. Appendix 44). 

"Thus, the schools at Highgate (Letters Patent, 1565. Carlisle, 
ii., 162) and Richmond (Letters Patent. S. I. C, xviii., 562) were 
founded ' ' for the education of poor boys living in ' ' the town and ' ' neigh- 
boring parts;" in Ashton (Deed, 1588. S. I. C, xvii., 159) the master 
was to ' ' teach all youth and young children of Ashton and the adjoining 
places gratis ; ' ' the school at Hexham was founded for the ' ' education 
joi the youth of the parish of Hexham and other adjacent towns ' ' (Letters 
Patent, 1599. S. I. C, xix., no); in the case of Rugby the school was 
' ' to serve chiefly for the children of Rugby and Brownesover, and next 
for such as bee of other places thereunto adjoyneing ' ' (Foimder 's Will, 
1567. Rouse, History of Rugby, Appendix I.); in the case of Halsted in 
default of the supply of 43 scholars from the towns of Halsted and Colne 
Engaine ' ' the sons of poor men who inhabit within 8 miles of Halsted ' ' 



128 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

counties,^" and to the entire realm." In Abingdon the restric- 
tion was pecuHar in that while the number was to be made 

were to be received as free scholars to make the number 40 (Founder's 
Will, 1594. Carlisle, i., 434); the scholars in the school at Cropredy 
were to come from the villages comprised in the peculiar of Cropredy 
or in default from the next towns (Founder's Deed, 1574. S. I. C, xii.,. 
232); the school at Boxford was founded for the "instruction of youth 
of Boxford, Groton, and Edwardstone" (Letters Patent, 1596. S. I. C, 
xiii., 131); the free scholars of the school at Great Bardfield were to con- 
sist of the founder's kin, 12 children from Great Bardfield, 4 from Bard- 
field Laling, 4 from Little Bardfield, and 6 from Finchingfield (Founder's 
Will, 1584. S. I. C, xiii., 12); the master of the school at Elmdon was 
to instruct freely ' ' al children and scholars as should repair or be sent 
thither to be taught, being bom or whose parents should be dwelling 
within the townships of Elmdon, Crissall, Stuthall, Wendon, Lofts, 
Over and Nether Chishall, Arkeshen, Barler, Barkway, .Manewden,. 
Langley, and Clavering" (Founder's Deed, 1559. S. I. C, xiii., 55);. 
the free grammar school at Dedham was founded for the education of 
"20 of the poorest men's children apt and meet to receive learning in 
Dedham, Ardleigh, Much Bromley, and Bradfield in Essex and Stratford 
in Suffolk" (Founder's Will, 1571. S. I. C, xiii., 47); while the free 
grammar school at Daresbury was founded for the better education 
of the children of the inhabitants of the townships of Daresbury, Preston, 
Newton, Kekwich, Moor, Halton, Acton Grange, Over and Nether 
Walton, and of such foreigners as had contributed to the foundation 
of the school (Founder's Deed, 1600. S. I. C, xvii., 38). 

2" While, in the case of Felsted, children bom on the manor of the 
founder were to be preferred (C. C. R., xxix., pt. I., 205), yet those bom 
in the county of Essex were to be admitted (Founder's Will, 1564. 
Carlisle, i., 432); the master of the school at St. Bees was to ' 'refuse none 
being bom in the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland" (Statutes, 
1585. Carlisle, i., 156). 

^' Thus in the case of Tiverton while preference was to be given to 
scholars raised the first six years in Tiverton, children of "foreigners 
of honest reputation" were to be admitted also (Founder's Will, 1599, 
Carlisle, i., 340); the school at Halifax was founded "for the Continual 
bringing up, teaching, and learning of Children and Youth of the said 
Parish and Vicarage of Halifax, and also of other Villages and Hamlets 
near adjoining unto the same, and of other Our faithful and Liege people, 
whosoever they be, to be taught, instructed and learned there ' ' (Letters 
Patent, 1585. Carlisle, ii., 808); the school at Whitchurch (Statutes,. 
1570. C. C. R., xxiv., 337) was to be open to "children of all countries 
that would come, except such as were infected with any contagious dis- 
order (N.B. — A similar provision existed at Alford concerning disorders: 
none were to be admitted having ' ' any corrupt or noisome disease on the 
body or head which is loathsome." — Statutes, 1599. Carlisle, i., 784); 
while in St. Paul's (Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 75) and Merchant Taylors' 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 129 

up from the children of the town or county adjoining, only 
one from each house was to be allowed." 

In order to be admitted to the school the prospective pupil 
was usually compelled to gain the consent of, or to " be nomi- 
nated " or " admitted ' ' by some person or body of persons. 
Thus in Lowestoft" and in St. Paul's^* the pupil was admitted 
by the master, while in the cases of Dedham," Redgrave,^' 
St. Olaves," the Merchant Taylors,^* Sandwich^' and Colchester,'" 

there were to be " taught in the said Schoole children of all nations and 
countreyes indifferently" (Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 54). 

*^ Founder's Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396. 

"Deed, 1571. C. C. R., xxii., 179. 

** Cf. Statutes. Carlisle, i., 75. 

^' Cf. Dedham, Appendix F. 

*' Cf. Redgrave, Appendix F. 

"C/. St. Olaves, Appendix F. 

^* The following sections of the Statutes (1561) treat the subject of 
admission of pupils: — 

"42. Also The Maister and Wardens of the said Company, for the 
tyme being, shall have full power and authority to admytt-all those 
children that shall be from tyme to tyme taught in the said Schoole; 
and, by writing made by The Clarck of this Campany, for the tyme being, 
they shall signify the admytting or allowing of them unto the School- 
maister, in his absence to the Head Ussher briefly in this wise : 

"Sir, This shalbe to signify imto you that we have admytted N. the 
Sonne of M. the Bearer hereof, to be of the number of those Hundreth of 
the poore men's Children, which should be taught freely in the said 
Schoole, upon condition that the said N., within one moneth next ensuing, 
shalbe by you thought meete to leame, and, being found not apt and 
meete to leame, as aforesaid, that then this our admyssion of him to 
stand as void, and then every such Scholler, that so shall be found not 
apt and meete to leame, to have repayed unto him that Twelve pence 
that he paid on his first admytting into the Schoole, or otherwise to be 
one of the other two numbers of Schollers before appointed, which 
said bill to be made by the said Clarck to be subscribed by our Maister 
and Wardens for the time being. 

"43. And none to be taught in the said Schoole unlesse they be first 
admytted by The Maister and Wardens, and so certified as is aforesaid." 
CarHsle, ii., 59. 

*' Cf. Sandwich, Appendix E. Consent of Mayor and two Jurats was 
necessary. 

^** Cf. Colchester, Appendix E. The following Statute concerns this 
subject : 

The said Schoole-master, when any place of the said free scholars 
shall be voyd, shall, within fourteen days at the furthest, give knowledge 
thereof to the Bailiffs of the said town of Colchester to the end that 

9 



130 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

he was nominated by the governors, and in Abingdon by the 
Mayor and Corporation," and in Tiverton by ten of the citizens 
of the town who were ' ' most in the Subsidie Bookes of the 
Queenes Majesty."" 

Before his admission, therefore, it was necessary that the 
child fulfil certain requirements," in some places that he possess 
certain academic qualifications,'* and that he obtain the con- 
sent of the proper authority to be admitted. In Sandwich 
a special day was designated for admission of new scholars." 
While the chief feature of the formalities was the writing of 
the name of the pupil in the register book'® and the payment of 



they may supply the same place with others; upon pain that the said 
Schoole-master shall forfitt to the BailiflEs for the time being to the 
use of the poor of the said town for every such free scholar so wanting 
and not knowledge thereof give aforesaid, los. of lawful money of 
England." — Statutes, 1587. Cromwell, History of the Ancient Town 
and Borough of Colchester in Essex, ii., 314. 

" Founder's Deed, 1562. S. I. C, xi., 396. 

'^ Founder's Will, 1599. Carlisle, i., 340. 

''At Oundle (Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 216) and Sandwich (Statutes 
1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226) the parents or friends of the 
pupil were to consult the master previous to admission to learn from him 
concerning the rules and statutes of the school. 

'* Cf. supra, 104. These were generally tested by examination by the 
master as in Redgrave (Statutes, 1576. C. C. R., xxii., 151) and in St. 
Mary Overey (' ' No child of the Parish shall be admitted as a Scholar, 
but he shall first be examined by the Master afore the Wardens, whether 
he read English and Latin perfectly, and write his name.") — Statutes, 
1562, Carlisle, ii., 584. 

'^"Workinge tewdaie of everie week usually to keape schole. " — 
Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 227. 

" This feature was a very common custom. In Oundle the register 
book was to be kept by the usher who was to write therein the ' ' names 
or surnames of the scholars at their entering ' ' in order that he might 
make a "just account to the Wardens of the Grocers of all such scholars 
as came thither;" he was also to note therein their time of departure, 
the reason thereof, and "whether they went to the universities or no." 
— Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 217. Likewise in Sandwich the book was kept 
by the master who entered therein the name and surname of pupil together 
with date of admission. He was to "make account" to the governors 
on the "Mundaie nexte after the feast of St. Mychaell the Archangell. " 
— Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 227. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 131 

the admission fee by the pupil, his parents or friends," there 
were in some places features not less interesting. Thus in 
Witton the schoolmaster at the admission of every scholar 
was to read the Statutes, Orders, Rules, and Laws belonging or 
pertaining to the scholar in the presence of the parents or friends 
of the pupil, who were to promise to be responsible for the keep- 
ing of the same by the pupil. ^* Similarly in Sandwich the 
statutes were to be read by the schoolmaster to the new pupil 
and his friends who were to promise to be obedient to the stat- 
utes.^' In St. Paul's School the master was to "rehearse" 
the following articles to those offering their children for instruc- 
tion in the school: 

' ' If youre Chylde can rede and wry te Latyn and Englyshe 
suffycyently, so that he be able to rede and wryte his own 
Lessons, then shal he be admitted into the Schole for a 
Scholer, 

"If youre Chylde, after resonable season proved, be founde 
here unapte and unable to lernynge, than ye warned thereof, 
shal take hym aw aye, that he occupye not oure rowme in 
vayne. 

"If he be apt to lerne, ye shal be contente that he continue 
here tyl he have competent literature. 

"If heabsente six dayes, and in that mean season ye shew 
not cause reasonable (resonable cause is al only Sekenes), than 
his rowme to be voyde, without he be admitted agayne, and 
pay 4(i. 

"Also after cause shewed, if he contenewe to absente tyl the 
weke of Admyssion in the next quarter, and then ye shewe not 
the contenuance of his sekenes, then his rowme to be voyde, 
and he none of the Schole tyl he be admytted agayne, and 
paye 4d. for wryting his name. 

"Also if he fall thryse into absence, he shal be admytted no 
more. — 



" Cf. supra, 93. 

'' The writing of the pupil 's name in a roll of parchment and the 
payment of the admission fee of /^d. followed. If the payment of this 
fee were refused, the child was to be "refused and unreceived till such 
time that it be paid." — Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 132, 

'"Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226. 



132 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

"Your Chylde shal, on Chyldermas daye, wayte upon the 
Boy Bishop at Poules, and offer there. 

"Also ye shall fynde him waxe in Winter. 

"Also ye shall fynde him convenyent bokes to his lernynge, 

' ' If the Offerer be content with these Articles, than let his 
Childe be admytted. "■"> 

Of a slightly different nature were the articles to be read by 
the master of the school at St. Albans to those offering their 
children to be taught in the school. They read as follows: 

"Ye shall submit your child to be ordered in all things, 
according to the discrecion of the Schoolmaster. 

"Ye shall find for your child ink, paper, pens, wax-candles^ 
for Winter, and all other things at any time requisite and neces- 
sary for the maintenance of his study. 

"Ye shall allow your child at all times, a bow, three 
arrows, bowstrings, a shooting glove, and a bracer, to exercise 
shooting.** 

"Ye shall see dilligently from time to time, that your child 
keep duely the ordinary hours and times in coming to 
School. 

' ' If your child be absent above three days in a Quarter (ex- 
cept he be sick) then he shall be banished the School. 

"If your child shall prove unapt for learning, then upon 
warning thereof given, ye shall take him away. And again, if 
he prove apt, then shall ye suffer him to remain till he be com- 
petently learned. ' '^^ 

It will be noted in the above rules that in admission the 
privileges of the school were not once for all time granted the 
pupil but were granted him upon condition that he prove him- 
self worthy of and able to profit from them as well as regular in 
his attendance. There resulted in some schools a period of 
probation or testing time. Thus in Oundle," if the master or 

*"" Rules" in the Introduction to the Rudiments of Grammar by- 
Dean Co let, quoted in Carlisle, ii., 81. 

*i A similar provision is included in the Statutes (1579) of the school 
at Dedham. — C. C. R., xxviii., 217. 

*^ Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 517. The last provision was also included 
in the statutes of the school at ALford. — 1599, Carlisle, i., 785. 

*' Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 216. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 133 

xisher ' 'upon proof or trial of the capacity of the scholar, should 
ifind him not meet to learn," they were to "signify the same 
to his friends to remove him, ' ' while in Sandwich" if the pupil 
was found not "meet to learne," his friends were to be notified 
and when the consent of the Mayor, or his deputy, and two 
Jurats had been obtained, the unsuccessful scholar was to be 
removed. 

The problem of regular attendance, however, appears to have 
b)een a more difficult and serious one than that of keeping up 
the grade of scholarship. Spoudeus,^* commenting upon the 
troubles of the schoolmaster, says, "Although I haue been 
troubled by that diuersitie (of grammars) yet much more by 
the absence of many of my schollars, when some of them are 
away, two or three dayes in a weeke, and sometimes happely a 
moneth together, or almost a quarter of a yeere, as in the haruest 
time, and it may be that they haue no bookes neither; and yet 
the Parents will expect, that they should profit as much as 
if they were there daily, and as if they had all necessary 
bookes. ' ' 

The serious results of irregularity in attendance probably 
accounts for the severe penalties administered in cases of non- 
attendance. The penalty varied from forfeiture of money to 
complete expulsion from school. Thus, in Sandwich the pupil 
absent from school for cause other than sickness and without 
the consent of the master was to be "corrected" and to "paie 
to the common boxe^' for every dayes absence a penny as the 
dayes come to;"^^ under similar circumstances a pupil at Oundle 
was to pay to the usher ' ' so many pence as the days be in num- 
ber;"** while in cases of reinstatement of scholars expelled on 
account of irregularity in attendance the custom appears to 



"Statutes, 1580. It should also be noted, that the pupils in the 
school who were unable to write ' ' competentlie ' ' at the time the statutes 
were made were to be given a period of probation, they were "to atteine 
writinge competentlie with one quarter of a year next comminge, or ells 
toe be removed till they can atteine the same. ' ' — Statutes. Boys, 
History of Sandwich, 226. 

** Brinsley, The Grammar School, 304. 

" Cf. infra, 140. 

*'' Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 227. 

** Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 217. 



134 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

have been the payment of the admission fee again/" In Kirkby 
Stephen the penalty for being absent 20 days in the school year 
"without reasonable cause to be allowed by the said Governors, 
or two of them," by the heirs of the founder, and by the school- 
master, was to be complete forfeiture of the "benefits of the 
school;"'^" while in the case of the Merchant Taylors' School 
the following statute deals summarily with the evil: "If any 
child, after he is received and admytted into the said Schoole, 

shalbe absent from the Schoole, by the space of three 

weeks together, at any one time, without sickness or any other 

reasonable lett, that then in such a case it were best that 

such a childe, for no man's suit, shalbe thereafter receaved into 

our Schoole "" 

The amount of attendance required was very great. There 
were usually but two vacations, at Christmas and at Easter." 
There were, however, a considerable number of holidays and half- 
holidays, but these did not in every case mean release from work, 
since in some cases it meant attendance upon church services" 



^* In St. Albans special suit to the master and governors might be 
instituted by the parents for the re-instatement of their child, but, 
if such suit were successful the admission fee of i2d. had to be paid 
again at re-admission. — Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 517. In Alford 
membership in the school was to be forfeited for absence for space of 
six days or for the practice of being commonly absent, and upon re- 
admission the admission fee of 4d. was to be paid or not at the discretion 
of the master. — Statutes, 1599. Carlisle, i., 785. 

^"Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii 718. 

"Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 56. 

" At Alford they were from the Even of St. Thomas the Apostle before 
the Feast of the Nativity until the next day after the Epiphany, and 
between Tuesday before Easter until the Sunday next after Easter. — 
Statutes, 1599. Carlisle, i., 784. 

" C/. infra, 149. In the Statutes of the school at Kirkby Stephen 
the founder wills (1566) that, "How many schollers soever have their 
abiding within the said Parish of Kirkby Stephen, they shall on the 
hollydays and half hollydays resort honestly to the Schoole or Church 
whether the Schoolmaster will lever, and there apply writeing, makeing 
of epistles, or other devout and vertuous endeavours and exercises as 
the oppertunity of the time and the schoolmaster's discretion shall 
appoint. ' ' — Carlisle, ii., 718. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 135 

and in others a change of occupation." The half-hoHdays 
were as a rule "remedies" or times for play. They were 
usually granted by the master about once a week" and on 
occasion of the visit of some noted person," and probably did 
not amount to more than 48 days altogether in the year. The 
school year contained, therefore, from 40 to 44 weeks," of six 
days per week. A glance at the following schedules will show 
what an enormous amount of time was therefore spent in school 
by the grammar scholars of this period." 



"In Bungay "writing and casting accounts, with pen and counters" 
was to be taught holidays and Saturdays and on those days school was 
to be kept until 3 P.M. for that purpose. — Statutes, 1591. S. I. C, xiii., 
135. In Heighington writing and casting accounts were to be taught on 
festival days. — Statutes, 1601. S. I. C, xix., 42. 

"Custom in St. Bees. — Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 161. In Witton* 
however, the pupils were to "refresh themselves" Thursday and Satur- 
day afternoons. — Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 133. 

"In Seven Oaks the schoolmaster was in "no wse" to give "license 
or remedy to his scholars in the week days except it be at the pleasure 
of some Honorable or Worshipful person ; or of any of the honest persons 
of the aforesaid Parish of Sevenoaks or other cause reasonable." — 
Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. In Sandwich the master was not to 
give "remedie or leave to plaie aboue once in a week," unless "the said 
gouemours or some honorable or worshipfull person present in the school 
house shall require the same, so as that farther license be but once a week 
and not two days together nor in the forenoon and not withowte shewing 
some exercise of leaminge in presence of hym that asketh the same. ' ' — 
Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 228. In the Merchant 
Taylors' School the teaching staff were permitted to grant one remedy 
per week upon Tuesday or Thursday afternoon when no ' ' HoUiday ' ' 
fell in that week, but in the weeks in which holidays fell, no remedies 
were to be granted. — Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 56. The provision at 
St. Paul's was the most rigorous, however. It reads: "I will also that 
they (the children) shall have no Remedyes. Yf the Maister grantith 
any Remedyes, he shall forfeit 405., totiens quotiens, excepte the Kyng 
or an Archbishopp, or a Bishop present in his own person in the Scole 
desire it." — Statutes, Carlisle, ii., 75. 

" Forty-four is the number given by Mr. Fearon in his report. Cf 
S. I. C, vii., 264. 

^' Mr. Fearon gives the number of hours spent in school per annum 
by the boys of this period in a school upon which he reports as 1,826, — 
22 summer weeks @ 44 hrs. per week, and 22 winter weeks @ 39 hrs. per 
week. Cf. S. I. C, vii., 264. 



136 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 
Schedules of Time Spent in School. 







Summer. 










Winder. 




A.M. 


P.M 






A.M 




P.M 




Av.No. 




No. 




No. 


Total 




No. 




No. 


Total hrs. per 


Time. 


Hrs 


. Time. 


Hrs. 


Hrs. 


Tim.e 


Hrs. 


Time. 


Hrs. 


Hrs. Day. 


6-1 1 


5 


1-5 


4 


9" 


7-1 1 


4 


1-5 


4 


8''» 8 . 5 


6-1 1 


5 


1-5 


4 


9" 


7-1 1 


4 


12 :3o-4 


3'5 


7-5" 8.25 


6-1 1 


5 


1-6 


5 


io«3 


7-1 1 


4 


1-4 


3 


7«3 8.5 


6-1 1 


5 


1-6 


5 


10" 


7-1 1 


4 


1-5 


4 


8»» 9 


6-1 1 


5 


1-6 


5 


IO« 


7-1 1 


4 


1-5" 


4 


8 9 



From the above it would seem that there was greater agree- 
ment in length of the morning session than in that of the after- 
noon session, that the common length of the morning session 
was in the summer term five hours, in the winter term four hours, 
that the afternoon session varied from four to five hours in the 
summer and from three to four hours in the winter, that the 
total number of hours per day varied from nine to ten in the 
summer term and from seven to eight in the winter term, and 
that the average number of hours per day for the year varied 
from 8.25 to nine, which is slightly higher than that of the 
following schools whose schedules were the same for both sum- 
mer and winter terms: 



'''Summer term from March 25th to Sept. 3otli St. Albans. On 
Saturdays and half holidays throughout the year the pupils were dismissed 
at 3 P.M. — Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 516. 

'" St. Albans. Winter term, Sept. 30th to March 25th, loc. cit. 

'^ Hawkeshead. Between the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin 
Mary and St. Michael the Archangel every work day was to commence 
"at six of the Clock in the Mominge, or at the furtheste within one halfe 
houre after, and soe to contynewe untill Eleven of the Clocke in the fore- 
noone, and to begyne agayne at One of the Clocke in the aftemoone 
and soe contynewe untill five of the Clocke at Nighte. ' ' — Statutes, 
1585. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 104, 105. 

" Hawkeshead. Winter term, Michaelmas to Annunciation of the 
Virgin Mary. Morning hour 7 or 7:30. Loc. cit. 

" Burford, 1571. Monk, History of Burford, 134. 

•••Seven Oaks. Statutes, 1574. Carlisle, i., 621. 

" Skipton. Summer term, March i, to Oct. i. Founder's Will, 1548. 
S. I. C, xviii., 260. 

•' Skipton. Winter term, remainder of year. The afternoon session 
was to be from one to five or six "as necessity may require." Loc. cit. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 137 

Schedule. 
A.M. P.M. 

No. No. Total 

Place. Time. Hrs. Time. Hrs. Hrs. 

St. Bees," . ) 

St. Paul's/^ V 7-11 4 1-548 

Merchant Taylor's,"' ) 

Sandwich,'" 6 ■.30-1 1 4.5 1-5^' 4 8.5 

Such was the amount of time spent ' ' in school. ' ' The school 
buildings, however, were not generally especially constructed 
for school purposes." More frequently it was a little building 
situated in some church yard." Often the school was located 
in some church'* or chapel," or perchance in some former guild 



"Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 161. 

*' Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 75. 

"Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, ii., 55. 

"Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 228. The schedule 
of the school at Alford (date 1599) agrees with this except that the 
opening hour is "between six and seven." Carlisle, i., 784. 

" 1-5 or after "at the discreacion of the master" who was to take 
into account the season of the year. Loc. cii. 

'^ Even when so constructed the building was not infrequently located 
in a church yard, e. g., schoolhouse erected in 1582 in Faversham was 
located on the north side of the church yard. (Carlisle, i., 575.) The 
school at Rochdale was to be located on a site in the church yard given 
by the vicar for that purpose. (1565, Carlisle, i., 718). 

" Thus the schoolhouse at Hampton was situated in the church yard 
(Will, 1556. C. C. R., ix., 282), while in Ringwood a stone house standing 
in the churchyard was to be converted into a schoolhouse (Founder's 
Will, 1587. C. C. R., xiv., 529). 

'* The school in Witton was held in the parish church. (Carlisle, i., 

133)- 

" The school in Wymondham was held in the Chapel of the Virgin 
Mary and St. Thomas a Becket (Letters Patent, 1559. Carlisle, ii., 199; 
also Deed, 1577. S. I. C, xiii., 387); in Ashburton in the Chapel of St. 
Lawrence (Deed, 1593. S. I. C, xiv., 275); in the Parish of St. Mary 
Redcliff, Bristol, in the Chapel of the Holy Ghost, a building 26 ft. x 56 
ft. situated in the churchyard of St. Mary Redcliff (Letters Patent, 1571, 
Barrett, History and Antiquities of Bristol, 596); in St. Albans in a chapel 
in the east end of the Abbey Church (C. C. R., xxv., 177; also Ashdown, 
St. Albans, 158); and in Crediton in Lady Chapel of the Old Cathedral 
Church, (S. I. C, xiv., 289). In Yeovil the chapel was converted into a 
school hpuse at an expense of £12 13s. 4d., which was borne by the 
parish. (Account of Church Wardens, 1573. C. C. R., iv., 325). 



138 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

hall" or chantry house." When not so located and when built, 
especially for school purposes the schoolhouse was generally 
erected at the expense of the community,'^ the cost varying 
from £7,4 8s. to ;^6oo."' It is very probable that some of the 
schoolhouses, especially the converted chapels, were not com- 
fortable in the winter season, as was the case in Louth where 
the children suffered from the cold in the Church of St. Mary 
the Virgin until 1560 when a new building was erected by the 
governors.*" The schoolhouse was generally surrounded by a 
small yard which was inclosed by a high stone wall penetrated 
by the little "school gate."'^ 



"In Basingstoke the school was located in 1583-8 in the Chapel of 
the ancient fraternity of the Holy Ghost (Baigent and Millard, History 
of Basingstoke, 668) ; in Norwich in the ' ' Frater or Firmary ' ' belonging 
to the dissolved Convent of the Black Friars, (Carlisle, ii., 184) ; in Reading 
in the Hall of the nunnery, St, John's Hospital (Coates, The History and 
Antiquities of Reading, 312); in Nantwich in the Common Hall of the 
Guild, a timber building situated in the church yard (G. N. C, 225; 
also Hall, History of Nantwich, 277). 

'' The schoolhouse of Hartley, near Worcester, was formerly the 
Chantry House (Carlisle, ii., 767). 

^* Cf. supra 13, footnote 22. The schoolhouse at Faversham was erected 

by general benevolence and an assessment upon the whole town (Car- 
lisle, i., 575). In Kirkby Kendal the land for the site was granted by a 
private individual while the building was erected in 1588 by a subscription 
opened in 1582 to which all classes contributed (Nicholson, Annals of 
Kendal, 189). In 1576 the schoolhouse in Marlborough had to be 
"propped up;" in 1577 a new one was erected by the mayor and bur- 
gesses (Waylen, History of Marlborough, 465). The mayor and burgesses 
of Boston erected the new schoolhouse in 1567; it was built of brick and 
situated in the Mart yard where the great annual fair was held (White- 
field, Homes of Our Fathers in Boston, Old England, and Boston, New 
England, 24). It should also be noted that the expenses incurred in con- 
verting a chapel into a schoolhouse were frequently borne by the commu- 
nity, as in Yeovil where the expenses were borne by the parish (1573, 
S. I. C, xiv., 247). 

"The total cost of the schoolhouse erected in Louth in 1557-8 was 
£^4 Ss. (cf. Appendix R). The cost of the school at Marlborough was 
£112 (Waylen, History of Marlborough, 465), of that at Kirkby Kendal 
;j£i59 185. 3(i. (Nicholson, Annals of Kendal, 189), of that at Boston 
£195 lid. (Thompson, The History and Antiquities of Boston, 238), of 
that at St. Bees in 1587 ;€3oo (C. C. R., iii., 12), and of that at Kingston- 
upon-Hull in 1583 ;£6oo (S. I. C, xviii., 457). 

«»C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 4., 673. 

" Cf. Appendix S for description of school and surroundings at Tiverton. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 39 

In such "places of learning" the beginner came at the age 
of six to nine to spend so many hours of the next five" or six" 
years of his life to be trained intellectually, morally, and spirit- 
ually. What we have noted concerning the curriculum,'* its 
content and method, will explain in part this enormous amount 
of time spent in the training of the pupil." The ground to be 
covered was extensive; the classes to be taught were numerous 
and variously graded; and the teacher' was compelled to use 
some form of the lecture method, since his pupils were not as 
a rule supplied with books." In a few instances the pupils 
were required to be supplied with books," but even in some of 
these cases they were not deprived of the privileges of the school 



'^ This was the length of time which the pupil might spend at the 
school in Oundle. It was necessary to obtain the consent of the governors 
to remain longer. — Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, 216. 

** In Sandwich no pupil was ' ' to tarrie aboue sixe yeres in learninge 
there, without a great cawse alleged and allowed by the said governors, 
while no pupil was to be taken from the school ' ' under one monethes 
waminge and not otherwiese but by publique order in the presence 
of the major or his deputie and twoe of his brethren, and so openlie 
to take his leave, and further shewinge some probable cause of his depar- 
ture. " — Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226. 

9*Cf. Chapter IV. 

** Concerning this subject Mr. Fearon in his report (S. I. C, vii., 264) 
says : ' ' The great amount of time spent in school by the boys according 
to this time-table (cf. Appendix P) may, perhaps, be explained by remark- 
ing the following facts: (i) The scholars were broken up into small classes 

each of which classes was to do work more or less differing from 

that of the others. It is not probable that the boys did much real hard 
work, except when actually engaged with the teachers. (2) Owing to 
the scarcity and deamess of books, all lessons in the classical authors 
were prepared with the master. He must have done orally for the boys 
the work that the Latin Primer, grammar, exercise book, lexicon, dic- 
tionary of antiquities, classical atlas, gradus, and numerous other hand- 
books now perform. The boys could not then, as now, prepare 

a piece of Virgil quietly by themselves their business consists in 

remembering and reproducing on a subsequent occasion what he has told 
them. ' ' 

" Cf. complaint of Spoudeus, supra 133. 

*^ In East Retford (Statutes. Carlisle, ii., 283) and Guisbrough no 
pupil was to "be suffered to continue in the School over one month, 
except he have books necessary for his Form. ' ' — Statutes, 1561. Carlisle 
ii., 806. 



140 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

if they were able to write the lectures.** In one case the town 
corporation purchased two dictionaries for the use of the pupils ;'• 
in another, part of the admission fees were devoted to purchasing 
necessary Latin and Greek books;*" while in a third" the con- 
tents of a box which contained the admission fees and the fines 
paid by absentees"^ were devoted to the same purpose. 

Since the content of the curriculum was not such as to arouse 
in the pupils a spontaneous interest, recourse had to be made 
to various external motives. While prizes were offered," and 



" In both the cases just quoted in footnote there is a further proviso, 
^' or .else daily write his lessons with his own hand." 

"Case of Boston. In 1578 it was agreed "that a Dictionary shall 
be bought for the Scollers of the free Scoole; and the same boke to be 
tyed in a cheyne, and set upon a desk in the scoole, whereunto any scoUer 
may have accesse as occasion shall serve." In 1601 the Corporation 
purchased two dictionaries, one Greek and the other Latin, which they 
gave to the schoolmaster to keep for the use of the pupils. — ^Thompson, 
The History and Antiquities of Boston, 240. 

•" Case of Cheltenham. The books were to be tied fast with little 
chains of iron to some convenient place in the school. — Deed, 1586. S. I. 
C, XV., 33. The master was to have surplus after providing for the school. 

•^ Case of Sandwich. This money was to be used by the master to 
' ' provide necessarie bookes, as dictionaries or other for the common use 
of the scholars. ' ' Once every year he was to give an account of this money. 
Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 227-228. 

•^ Cf. supra 133. 

" Cf. conditions of Queen Elizabeths scholarships at Crediton, 5M/?ro 126. 
The founder of the school at Sandwich ' ' considering that vertewe and 
Tcnowledge by praise and reward is in all estates maynteined and en- 
creased an especially in youthe," ordained that after his death there 
should be disputations in the school on the ' ' tewsdaie nexte after the 
feaste of St. Mychaell tharchaungell ' ' between seven or eight and nine 
or ten, the questions to be provided by the master who was to invite 
the parsons and vicars of the town ' ' with one or two other of knowledge 
or moe dwelling neighe, who together with the master were to determine 
which three ' ' of the whole nomber of seuerall fourmes have done best. ' ' 
The first prize was to be "apenn of sylver whole guilte of the price of 
25. 6d., ' ' the second, ' 'a penn of sylver parcell guilte of the value of 25., " 
and the third, "a penn of sylver of 2od." All then were to proceed to 
the parish church, two by two, the three victors walking last next to 
the master and usher, ' ' ither of them having a garland on their hedes. ' ' 
In the church, in a place provided by the governors and master, kneeling 
or standing they were to ' ' sai or synge some convenient psalme or himpne, 
with a collet having some convenient remembrance and making mencion 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 141 

other appeals were made to the sense of pride and ambition in 
the pupils,*' the strongest was furnished by fear. Supreme 
confidence appears to have been placed in the rod or bundle 
of switches.'^ Not infrequently the schoolmaster was a severe 
taskmaster/* who relied upon his rod to inspire his pupils to be 

of the church, the realme, the prince, the town, and the founder, as shall 
be appointed and devised by the master. ' ' — Statutes, 1 580. Boys, History 
of Sandwich, 229. 

** Thus in Hawkeshead at the ' ' breaking up time ' ' the week before 
Christmas and Easter ' 'The Chiefest SchoUars' ' were to ' 'make Oracons, 
Epistles, verses in Latyne, or Greeke". . . .ostensibly that "therebie the 
said Scholemaster maie see how said schollars have pfyted. ' ' — Statutes, 
1 588, Cowper, Hawkeshead, 104. In Sandwich the scholars ' ' according to 
their well doing ' ' were to ' ' have the highest places with other prefer- 
mentes and privileges and favor. ' ' And the statutes proceed to decree 
that ' ' in noe case shall aney respect therein be had of birth, welth, parents, 
or in anything but of profyting in learning." — Statutes, 1580. Boys, 
History of Sandwich, 231. In St. Bees the master was to encourage "the 
good natured ' ' and those that were ' ' toward in learning, by present and 
prefering them to higher places. ' ' The ' ' slothful and untoward ' ' were 
to be "dispraised and displaced" in order that "either for love of com- 
mendation or fear of shame" they might be provoked "to learn and 
profit at their books." — Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, i., 157. 

•* The rod or switch is prominent in some of the seals of the schools 
of this period, e.g., cf. the seal of the school at Louth, a print of which 
is given in Carlisle, i., 822. Spoudeus speaking to Philoponos concerning 
this subject says, "But I perceive that you vtterly dishke that extreme 
seueritie whereby all things are done in verie many schooles, and the 
whole gouemment maintained only by continuall and terrible whipping. ' ' 
— Brinsley, Ths Grammar School, 276. 

" The following case is probably an extreme one : ' ' The Schoolmaster 
(of Braintry), Mr. Denman, was very able, and excellent in his faculty; 
but exceedingly austere, insomuch that the eldest son John, tho' of 
good parts, yet not bearing the severity of his Master, grew so out of 
love with learning, that his parents were forced to take him home. But 
William, on the contrary, being of excellent natural parts, and especially 
of a strong memory, had such a love to learning that no harshness of 
his Master could beat him off, but rather it so heightened his diligence, 
that his proficiency did not seem to contend with, and even to conquer 
his Master 's rigour, yet with a bloody victory : For on a time he received 
such a blow from his cholerick Master, that he was beaten off a pair of 
stairs, and had one side of his head so bruis'd, that the blood gush'd 
out of his ear, and his hearing was in consequence so impair 'd that 
he became in process of time wholly deaf on that side. ' ' — A True Relation 
of the Life and Death of William Bedell, Camden Society Publications, 
date of incident, between 1 580-1584. 



142 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Qiceen Elizabeth. 

regular and punctual in attendance," to memorize and recite 
their lessons, and to speak Latin in and near the school." While 

^ The tardy pupil at Seven Oaks was to be " corrected by the Master 
and in his absence by the usher, but not rigorously." — Statutes, 1574, 
Carhsle, i., 622. 

•' The custom of speaking Latin at school was not uncommon. In 
Sandwich (Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 228) the master 
and usher were to speak in the "lattyn tonge to their schoUers that do 
understand the same;" in Hawkeshead (Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawks- 
head, 481) the pupils were to " contynuallie use the latyne tongue, or 
the Greeke tongue within the Schole, as they shall be able;" while in 
Oundle the pupils were to speak Latin to each other ' ' as well in the Schol 
as coming and going to and from the same" (Statutes, 1556. Carlisle, 
ii., 217). 

The task of compelling the pupils to speak in Latin was not an easy 
one. Spoudeus in Brinsley's Grammar School, -p. 2 1 2 thus describes the 
difficulties : — ' ' This I haue found passing hard to acquaint my schollars 
withall, to bring them to any ripeness or commendable faculty, but still 
they will speake as a boy who is saying his lesson; though I haue both 
directed them how to pronounce, vttering the sentences oft before them, 

and haue very much called vpon them for the same I haue 

laboured and striuen by Ferula, and all means of seuerity, yet haue 
not benne able to make my Schollars to vtter their mindes in any 
toUerable manner, of ordinary things, but in very barbarous phrase, nor 
so much as to put it in practice amongst themselves ; much lease to vtter 
their minds in Latine easily, purely, and freely as it were to be wished. ' ' 

The common practice seems to have been to require the Latin conversa- 
tion only in the higher forms. Thus, in Guisbrough the pupils of the two 
higher forms were to ' ' speak nothing within the School-house but Latin, 
saving only in teaching of the lower forms." — Statutes, 1561. Carlisle, 
ii., 806. Cf. also Brinsley, The Grammar School, 214. 

As the pupils would persist in speaking English and winking at each 
other when out of the master's sight (Brinsley, Grammar School, 219), 
the custom of appointing Custodes grew up. It and the evils arising from 
it are thus described by Brinsley (loc. cit.) : — 

"That is a vsuall custome in Schooles to appoint Custodes, or Asini 
(as they are tearmed in some places) to obserue and catch them who 
speake English in each fourme, or whom they see idle, to giue them the 
Ferula, and to make them Custodes if they cannot answere a question 

which they aske Oftimes, he who is the Gustos will hardly attend 

his own worke, for barkening to heare others to speake English. 

' ' Also there falleth out amongst them oft-times so much wrangling 
about the questions, or defending themselues, that they did not speake 
English, or were not idle, that the whole fourme is troubled. So like- 
wise when the Custodes are called for, before breaking up at dinner and 
at night, there will be so much contention amongst them, as is a dis- 
quieting and trouble to the Master. Moreouer, that I haue obserued, that 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 43 

some of the pupils may have had ' ' their diUgence heightened ' ' 
by such treatment," not a few came to disUke both school and 
learning, and, according to Brinsley,'"" "thought themselves 
very happy, if their parents would set them to any servile or 
toiling business, so that they might keep from school. ' ' While 
the dislike thus fostered was revealed in some places by barring 
out the master at certain seasons of the year,'"^ yet submission 

euer if there be any one simple in a fourme or harder of learning then 
the rest, they will make him a right Asinus, causing such to be the Cus- 
todes continually, or for the most part, if they cannot answerer and to 
this end will be alwayes watching them; whereby many such are not 
only notably abused, but very much discouraged for being scholars, 
when they see themselues so baited at by all; some others are made ouer 
malipart thereby. ' ' 

" C/. footnote 93, p. 141. 

'"" The Grammar School, 278. 

*®i The custom is mentioned in the following terms in the Statutes 
of the school at Witton (1558, Carhsle, i., 133): "A weeke before Christ- 
mas and Easter (according to the old Custome) they barre and keepe 
forth of the Schoole the Schoolemaster in such sort as others Scholers doe 
in great Schooles. " Mr. Sinclair in his History of Wigan, vol. i., 182, 
says concerning this custom : — ' ' The custom was allowed by deeds of 
endowment in many schools and was looked forward to by the boys 
with greater glee than if it were a holiday. Under the captaincy of the 
head boy on a special day, generally before Christmas, books were packed 
away, the army of pupils arrayed, and the master pushed roughly or 
gently, according as he was a tyrant or favorite, to the door. Then all 
hands to work ; forms and desks were piled one above the other behind the 
door with the master's chair on top. The door was barricaded and the 
master barred out. Then there were wild revelry and lusty cheers. 
The head boy took the cane and in the middle of a ring of smiling pupils 
broke it and threw the pieces to be broken by the younger furies. In a 
few minutes was beared a knocking at the door, and everyone knowing 
well it was the exiled master called out, "Who's there?" "It is I, open, 
you rogues!" the master would call in pretentious fury. But they were 
masters of the situation and would only open conditionally. The condi- 
tions were that all past and present offenses should be forgiven, and on no 
others would the door be open. At last the master would feebly yield to 
the conditions and be admitted with three hearty good cheers — no 
punishments for that day, — and the usual routine commenced. ' ' It may 
have been with an eye on the possibility of injury to school property in 
-escapades similar to this just described that the following article was 
included in the Statutes of the school at St. Albans : "If anything shall 
be broken or any hurt done anything belonging to the school by any of the 
scholars, the same shall be repaired forthwith and amended at the charges 
■of the friends of the child that did that hurt, and if the friends refuse 



1 44 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

was necessary, since resistance meant expulsion. '"^ Did the 
pupil leave one school for another he was liable to run the risk 
of being denied re-admittance to the former,'"^ while in some 



to amend the said hurt, being thereunto required, upon such refusal 
the child that did the hurt shall be banished the school until his friends 
have satisfied the said hurt." — Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i. 516. 

'"^ Thus the founder of the school at Witton wills ' 'that all the Schol- 
lars of what estate, condition, or degree soever they be, shall submit 
themselves to due correction of the Schoolmaster, which at their entrance 

shall be promised as well by their Friends as themselves, which 

correction shall always be referred to the direction of the Schoolmaster, 
and not to the opinion or mind of the Schollars, and for disobedience 
and resistance thereof they shall be expelled the School for ever, unless 
their Friends by earnest suitors to the Schoolmaster, and can prevail 

with him and get in such sort that their humble stubbomess ; 

And also forseeing the great inconveniency and enormity that wilful 
persons and ignorant, who had rather Children through dissolutness and 
over much liberty should commit offences worthy of punishment, to their 
shame and undoing, then to have them corrected by the discretion of the 
Schoolmaster, according to the quality, quantity, and gravity of their 

offences, and upon complaint of the Children, their Parents come 

to molest and disquiet the Schoolmaster against reason and order, I will 
that all such mentioned Children, after due proof of such folly and fond- 
ness of the Parents herein, shall be utterly expelled this School for ever, 
unless they shall be able to prove that the Correction done was unreason- 
able and that to be proved before and to the Feofifees of the said School 
and Overseers for the time being:" — Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 132. 
In Kirkby Stephen any pupil ' ' despising the master 's authority and his 
reasonable correction ' ' was to be expelled until he gained the consent 
of the governors and the patron of the school to return and was ready 
"to receive the schoolmaster's reasonable correction." — Statutes, 1566. 
Carlisle, ii., 718. 

*°^ In the case of St. Paul's the statute dealing with this subject reads 
as follows : — 

"Yff any Childe after he is receyved and admitted into the Scole, 
go to any other Scole, to leame there after the maner of that Scole,, 
than I will that suche Childe jor no man's suite shall be hereafter received 
into our Scole, but go where him lyste, where his friends shall thin eke 
shall be better leaminge. And this I will be shewed unto his friendes. 
or other that offer him at his first presenting into the Scole. ' ' Carlisle^ 
ii., 76. While the statutes of the Merchant Taylors' School were equally 
rigorous (1561, Carlisle, ii., 56), those of the school at Sandwich provided 
that the pupil might be re-admitted upon ' ' special consent of the master 
and that upon such cawse as shalbe allowed by the said govemours. ' ' — 
Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 227. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 145 

instances there was no school in the town to which he might go 
should he desire to do so.^"^ 

Harsh though this discipline was, it was a means to the great 
end of all education, the development of a strong moral character. 
The boy may have been driven and whipped into much barren 
knowledge, but this process was not carried on for the pleasure 
derived from the process itself. It was conscientiously believed 
that in mastering Latin he was fitting himself for life and develop- 
ing character. The punishments he received were to help him 
in his efforts by making unstudious habits unpleasant. But 
while dealing thus indirectly with the moral life, direct treat- 
ment is not neglected. The authors read were to be such as 
would develop "purity of life and manners""" vv^hile "lewd 
and superstitious books or ballads" were to be eschewed. *"• 
"Honestie and cleanlyness of lief, speache and manners, namely 
lowliness and curtesie ' ' were to be " stablished by all good 
meanes," while "pride, rybawdrie,'" lyeng, pyckinge, and blas- 

1"* Thus in Sandwich the fotinder willed that ' ' in the said town of 
Sandwich none other grammar schole be tawghte ' ' (Statutes, 1 580. Boys, 
History of Sandwich, 227), while in Lincoln at the time of the union of 
the City and Cathedral grammar schools the Bishop covenanted not to 
permit or license any other grammar school within the city or three miles 
thereof. — Deed, 1583. C. C. R., xxxii.,pt. 4., 349. On the other hand there 
is the following record of a request made by a schoolmaster in Warwick : 
"The other petition hee made not for his owne gaine although some 
.perhapps would censure him covetous of the wch vice hee frelie clearde 
himself but for the avoydance of some misconvenience wch might ensue, 
that the nomber of teachers and scholemrs might bee wthin this borough 
abated. The toleration of whom impugned common law of the realme, 
imposed penaltie uppon the corporacion insured diversitie of opinion, 
and prjudiced the good education of yonge schoUers. ' ' — Report of a 
meeting of corporation held 4 December, 1594, quoted in The Black 
Book of Warwick, 400. 

1"^ Aldenham, Statutes, 1599, S. I. C, xii., 66. In Kirkby Stephen 
the master was to read and interpret such authors as would ' ' induce 
and lead them to virtue, to godliness, and to honest behaviour, and ta 
knowledge of humanity, but not to wantoness or sauciness. " — Statutes, 
1566. Carlisle, ii., 717. 

i«"St. Bees, Statutes, 1583. Carhsle, i., 158. If any of the pupils 
used ' ' swearing, filthy talk, lewd and licentious Books or Songs, ' ' they 
were to be "sharply punished." — Ibid, 161. 

*•" In Oundle in order "to cause the Scholars to refrain from the 
detestable vice of swearing, or Ribauld words, ' ' it was ordered that the 

10 



1 46 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

phemyinge" were "to be sharplie punished."'"' Gaines and 
practices whose influences or effects were demoraUzing were 
prohibited/"' while healthful sports were encouraged."" The 
influence of the school went with the boy during his vacation/" 
while it also cared for and guarded the boy attending school 
away from home."^ 

scholar was to have three stripes ' ' for every oath or Ribauld word spoken 
in the school or elsewhere." — Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 218. 

1"' Sandwich, Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 231. 

100 ' "They (the students) shall use noe weapons in the schole as sworde, 
dagger, waster, or other lyke to fighte, or brawle withal, nor any unlawful 
gamming in the schole. They shall not haunt Tavernes, Aylehowses 
or playinge at anie unlawfull games as Cardes, Dyce, Tables, or such 
lyke." Hawkeshead, Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkshead, 104. Three 
warnings were to- be given those who broke the statutes of the school. 
If reformation did not then take place, the delinquent was to be expelled 
by the master, or in his absence b)^ the usher. A pupil so expelled was 
not to be received ' ' into the Schole agayne without humble suyte and 
earnest petycion made to the gournors and master of his reconciliacon." 
— Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 481. The pupils at Witton were 
to "eschew all Bowleinge, Cardinge, Dyceing, Quiteing, and all other 
unlawfull games. " — Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 133. 

""C/. siipra 132. St. Albans. The pupils at Witton were urged to 
practice archery, 1558, Carlise, i., 133. A. E. Gibbs is quoted by Ashdown, 
St. Albans, 160-161, as saying concerning this subject: "Archery and 
similar pastimes were at that time considered essential parts of a young 
man's training, and he was thus early taught to follow such pursuits 
as tended to promote muscular strength and prepare him for a military 
career. ' ' 

1" The pupil at Hawkeshead was to be " of honeste and vertuous 
Conversacon, obedient to the master and usher in all things touching 
good mannrs and learning bothe in the school and elsewher. ' ' — Statutes, 
1588, Cowper, Hawkshead, 481. In Witton the statutes of the school 
were to be read to all the pupils assembled in the church before the 
breaking up of school in order that they might "better remember their 
duty in the time of their absence ; ' ' the master was to give ' ' an exhorta- 
tion in the school how they shall order themselves till their return;" 
when four of the Trustees and Churchwardens were to be present to ' ' give 
warning to such scholars as they shall see to offend against the said 
exhortation or against any of the said statutes." — Statutes, 1558. 
Carlisle, i., 133. 

"^ Among the class of schools with which we are concerned not many 
were at this time boarding schools, the majority of which were such 
schools as Winchester, Eton, Shrewsbury, and the Cathedral and Col- 
legiate Schools. It has been noted, however {cf. supra 127), that provision 
was made for the attendance of pupils from outside of the local community 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 147 

Closely united with the conception of moral discipline was 
that of religious training, in which State, Church, and School 
were equally interested. The attitude of the State towards 
this phase of education was very definite. Silent on the sub- 
ject of the intellectual preparation of its schoolmasters it in- 
sisted that they should be men who ' ' professed the true relig- 
ion. ' '"' Silent also concerning the details of the secular life 
of these masters, it insisted not less forcibly that the appropriate 
hours of Sunday and Holydays be spent by them in attendance 
upon divine service."* The same injunctions which made the 
use of Kings Grammar compulsory contained also the three 
following articles: 

"XLI. Item. That all teachers of children shall stir and 
move them to live and do reverence to god's true religion now 
truely set forth by public authority. 

"XLII. Item. That they shall accustom their scholars 
reverently to learn such sentences or scriptures as shall be most 
expedient to induce them to all godliness. 

in which the school was situated. In some places permission was given 
to the teaching staff to furnish board and lodging for such pupils {cf. 
supra, 92). In Gilpin's School in Houghton la Spring a large number of 
the boys attending the school were boarded and lodged in Gilpin 's house 
free of all charge (D. N. B., XXI., 379). In Sandwich the pupils were to 
board and room in Sandwich or within a mile and a half of the town. If 
the pupil did not live with the master or usher, the party who took 

him to board was to ' ' faithfully promise to the master before his 

admission to keep him contynually from all unthriftie pastimes and games 
in his howse, and further to lett the master betimes haue informacion in 
case that they be lewdlie occupied within or without his howse, not in 
aney pointe boulstringe up their evil ; ' ' upon failure to keep this promise 
complaint was to be made by the master to the governors, and if the evil 
were not then reformed, the party was to be deprived and excluded ' 'from 
having aney schoUers of this school to boerde. ' ' It should also be noted 
that parents having boys in school were to exercise the same diligence 
and that failure to do so meant the dismissal of the boy from the school. 
— Statutes, 1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 226-227. 

In Oundle the parents of a boy who was to board in the town were to 
consult the master and usher so that the boy might not be placed in a 
family where it was known that ' ' the good man and his wife were such as 
should give example to the scholars to follow gaming or other vain 
pastimes not meet for students." — Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 217. 

''^ Cf. Letter of Queen's Council to Archbishop Grindle. Appendix J. 

^^* Cf. Article VI., Statutes, Anno 23° Eliz. C. i. quoted supra, 67 
cf, also License to Swetman, quoted Appendix I. 



1 48 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

"XLIII. Item. Every parson, vicar, and curate shall upon 
every holyday and every second Sunday in the year hear and 
instruct the youth of the parish for half and hour at the least 
befoie evening prayer in the ten commandments, the Articles 
of the Belief, and the Lords Prayer, and diligently examine 
them and teach the Catechism set forth in the book of public 
prayer.""* 

The attitude of the Church was not less definite. In their 
visitations, bishops were to inquire into the religious condition 
of master and pupils,"" while clergymen were to give religious 
instruction to the children."' Both State and Church"' were 
alive to the danger from papist and puritan masters, whose 
influence, in spite of the vigorous action taken against them, 
continued to be felt."' 

The interest of the school in the religious education of its 
pupils was not less than that manifested by State and Church. 
With these institutions it insisted upon its masters possessing 
certain religious qualifications'^" and the stamp of approval of 
the bishop of the diocese in which the school was situated. "*^ 
It was left to the school to attend to the details of that train- 
ing which was to realize the ideals of State and Church, to 
devote itself to the religious education of its pupils. In this 
education emphasis was placed upon instruction and devo- 
tional exercises. 



"* Injunctions of Elizabeth, 1559. Cardwell, Annals, i., 195. 

"• Cf. Articles of Visitation quoted in Appendix J. 

"^ Cf. Article XLIII., Queen's Injunctions of 1559 quoted above. 

"* Cf. Letter of Queen's Council to Archbishop Grindle, Appendix J. 

"» Thus in the Report to Council on the condition of Lancashire and 
Small reformation made by Ecclesiastical Commission, quoted in the 
Calendar of State Papers — Domestic, 1591-4, 158, we find the following 
bit of information : ' ' The youth are for the most part trained up by such 
as profess papistry; no examination is had of schools and schoolmasters. 
In the same volume, pages 258 and 262, Coles, the schoolmaster at St. 
Giles, Holbom, is accused of being a cathoHc or catholic sympathizer 
while on page 283 nine persons residing in Lancashire are accused of 
having kept priests or recusants as schoolmasters. Cf. also Letter of 
Queen's Covmcil to Grindle, Appendix J. 

120 Cf. supra, 58 ff. 

"' Cf. supra, 67 f. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 49 

Religious Instruction 

The character of this instruction was doctrinal and dogma- 
tic.'" The chief text book appears to have been Dean Nowell's 
Catechism. The EngHsh catechism was required in some 
places for admission to the school,'" while in others it was taught 
by the usher. '^'^ In the higher forms the Latin and Greek trans- 
lations were learned/'" and in some instances the Greek New 
Testament and a Latin translation of the Ten Commandments 
were read.''" The character of the texts used indicate that the 
method of instruction was chiefly catechetical,'" the pupil 
in some places being examined not only in his catechism, but 
also on the sermon preached in the parish church the preceding 
Sunday."* 

Devotional Exercises 

While intellectual religious conceptions were developed through 
instruction, effort was made through the devotional exercises 
of the Church and school to develop the emotional and volitional 
phases of the religious life. The devotional exercises of the 
Church were her services."" Upon these services pupils as well 



'" Among the subjects prescribed at Newcastle-upon-Tyne was the 
"Rudiments of the Christian Religion." — Letters Patent, 1600. S. I. C, 
xix., 122. In Hawkeshead the master was once every "weeke at the 
leaste to instructe and examyne his schoUers in the Pryncyples of trewe 
Religion to the ende they maie the better knowe and feare God. ' ' — 
Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 475. 

"' Cf. Ringwood, supra, 106. 

''* Cf. Aldenham and St. Bees, supra, iiof. 

^^^ Cf. St. Bees, supra, 110-115. 

^^^ Cf. supra, 116, footnote 86. 

'" One day each week the master at Bunbur^' was to catechise and 
instruct his pupils in the principles of religion. — Deed, 1594. C. C. R. 
X., 194. At Bungay (Statutes, 1591. S. I. C, xiii., 135) the scholars 
were every Saturday afternoon to learn ' ' all such things as concern the 
Christian faith and religion, both in Latin and Enghsh. ' ' 

'2* E.g. Cheltenham, Deed, 1586. S. I. C, xv., 33. In Bunbury all 
pupils were to attend service Sabbaths and Holidays; those who could 
were to take notes upon which they were later to be examined by the mas- 
ter. — Deed, 1594. C. C. R., x., 194. 

"' The services were not devotional alone ; they also furnished instruc- 
tion through the sermons, and in some cases they included catechetical 
instruction. Thus in East Retford one of the pupils every Sunday was to 
' ' read the Catechism in English openly and distinctly in the body of the 



1 50 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

as masters attended Sundays and Holydays.^'" Indeed, the 
masters were not infrequently held responsible for the attendance 
and conduct of their pupils^'^ who were often seated apart from 
the rest of the congregation.^" While some of the pupils carried 



said Parish Church between the Morning Prayer and the Commu- 
nion, as well for their own instruction as for the instruction of other 
young Children." — Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 284. 

'^^ In Burford the scholars were to come to the house of the master 
every Sunday morning at eight to say prayers and to go with him to the 
parish church; when there was no service, they were to sing ' 'psalms and 
read a chapter in the school. ' ' — Monk, History of Burford, 134. In Oundle 
all the pupils, upon the Sabbath and Holydays, were to "resort to the 
parish church in the time of Common Prayer." — Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, 
ii., 218. In Hawkeshead "the scholemaster, usher and schoUers for the 
tyme beinge from tyme to tyme" were to ' ' use, and frequente the Churche 
upon the Sabbothe daie, and holie daies, to heare divine Seruice, and 
Sermons." — Statutes, 1588. CowpeT, Hawkshead, 4^8. In St. Albans the 
master and scholars were to attend morning and evening service at St. 
Alban 's Church on Sundays and Holidays. — Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 
515. In Kirkby Stephen the founder wills that, ' ' On the hoUydays in the 
time of service at the Church, the Schoolmaster and the Schollers shall be 
there at the Devine Service, and use devout and comely order without 
any talking or light demeanour." — Statutes, 1566. Carlisle, ii., 716. 

^'1 In Eye the master was to ' ' see that his scholars attend church 
on Sundays and holydays." — Constitutions of Eye, 1566. C. C. R., 
xxii., 140. In East Retford the master and usher were to "command 
and compell their Scholars to come and hear Divine Service in the Parish 
Church every Sunday and Holiday." — Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 284. 
In Oundle either master or usher was to be present ' 'to oversee them that 
they do not misbehave themselves." — Statutes, Eliz. Carlisle, ii., 218. 
In Heighington the master was to take ' ' especial regard that every 
scholar come duly and orderly to the Church every Sunday and holyday, 
at morning and evening prayer. ' ' — Articles annexed to Foundation Deed, 
1601. S. I. C, xix., 42. In Hawkeshead the master and usher were to 
"giue good regard, that the said schollers doe at all tymes behaue them- 
selues soberlie and reurendlie in the Churche especiallie duringe the tyme 
of diuyne seruice and sermons." — Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawks- 
head, 478. 

*" In 1562 the churchwardens of the church at Yarmouth were directed 
to find seats for the master and his scholars. — Manship, The History of 
Great Yarmouth, ii., 368. In Hawkeshead the schoolmaster, usher, and 
scholars were to sytt together in some conveniente place in the chuncell 
of the said Churche." — Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkshead, 478. In St. 
Albans the master and his scholars were to sit together in the ' ' Chancell 
or some place of the Church as the Parson, Churchwardens, and School- 
master shall agree. " — Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 515. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 151 

either English or Latin Prayer Books,'" all who could were to 
participate in the services either by singing or recitation.''^ 

While the items of information concerning church attendance 
are thus rather meagre, the statute of the School at Sandwich 
concerning this subject is complete and interesting enough to 
be quoted in full. It reads as follows: 

"Item,, I ordeine, that all the Schollers upon the Sabbath daie 
and holy daies resort in dewe time to the Schole-house, and from 
thence by two and two in order to goe to Devyne Service in the nexte 
Parishe Churche in Sandwich wherein English Service is used, 
the Master, if he be there, going before them, and the Ussher, 
if he be there, after them ; but one of them at least being present 
to oversee them; And, in like order to departe by two and two 
owte of the churche when the Master or Ussher then present 
shall apointe them to departe. And, on every Saturday in 
the afternoon, before their going to churche, the Master and 
Ussher or one of them with all the Schollers devoutlie on their 
knees, the Schollers aloud, to saie one prescribed forme of 
Praier, wherein shall be made mencion of the Church, the Realme, 
the Prince, the Estate of the Towne, and the Fownder and his 
Posteritie. And I ordayne, that the Master and Ussher duelie 
everie Munday or nexte Schole day after the Sabbath daie, in the 
morning call to reconing all such of the Schollers as ither absent 
themselves from such comminge to the Churche, or from being 
att the Churche, or came tardy to it, or otherwise use not them- 
selves reverentlie there in prayer, everie of them having a Prayer 
booke in Latyne or English according to the Master his appoint- 
ment, and in that behalfe to use correccion as shal be convenient, 
and that by the said Governours there be appointed in the 
Churche, place convenient for the said Schollers to be together, 
and not any other boyes or children to be there emongst them, 



'^' In Oundle each of the scholars, "as the master shall appoint," 
was to have a Prayer Book, either in Latin or English. — Statutes, Eliz. 
Carlisle, ii., 218. 

"* In East Retford those scholars ' ' apt and meet for the same ' ' were 
to "help in the Quire to maintain the said Divine Service there." — 
Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 284. The scholars of St. Albans while 
in the church, either before or in the serivce itself, "kneeling on their 
knees" were to say after the master or Curate, the Lord's Prayer, the 
Ten Commandments, and prayers for the Royal Foundress and other 
Benefactors of the school. — Statutes, 1570. Carlisle, i., 515. 



152 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

to th 'end their silence and other demeanour maie the better be 
seene unto and reformed. "^^^ 

While attending the services of the Church, the school also 
held devotional exercises. Sometimes these were in the church 
as in the case of Kirkby Stephen,"" but more often they were 
held in the schoolhouse."' As a rule they appear to have been 
of the nature of morning and evening prayers,"* which consisted 
of either reading from the bible, singing psalms, and saying 
prayers,"' or merely saying prayers.'^" These prayers were 

"'Statutes, 1563. Carlisle, i., 603. 

"' The Statute referring to these exercises reads as follows : — 

"And, I will that every morning and evening at Six of the clock, 
which are the days for learning of Schollers and keeping of Schoole, the 
Schollers by two and two , and the Schoolmaster, shall go from the School- 
house into the Parish Church, and there devoutly upon their knees before 
they doe enter the quire say some devout prayer, and after the same they 
shall repaire to-gether into the Chappell or quire, where I have made 
and sett up a tomb, and there sing together one of these psalms hereafter 

instituted, such as the Schoolmaster shall appoint so as every of 

the said psalmes be sung within fifteen days together, {viz.) 103: 130: 

145 : 46 : 3 : 61 : 24 : 30 : 90 : 96 : 100 : 51 : 84 : 86 : 45 : and that done, 

repaire to the School house, and in the evening quietly to their lodgings; 
and if any of the Schollers be absent at any time of the said prayers 
or psalmes, then the Schoolmaster to doe due correction for his or their 
absence." — Statutes, 1580. CarHsle, ii., 717. 

*" Prayers were to be said daily in the school at Moulton. — Statutes, 
1560. Carlisle, i., 837. 

"* In Alford the scholars were to say morning prayers ' ' for the better 
speed and success in their labors ; ' ' they were also to say prayers at 
five o'clock in the evening before leaving the schoolhouse. — Statutes, 
1599. Carlisle, i., 784. In St. Bees the scholars, the usher, and the 
master were with ' ' audible and distinct voice ' ' to say prayers ' ' upon their 
knees, both at their coming and departing." — Statutes, 1583. Carlisle, 
i., 161. In St. Albans the master and pupils "every working day in the 
morning at their first coming ' ' were to say ' ' upon their knees, the Suf- 
frages, the Lord 's Prayer, ' ' and prayers for the Foundress and other 

benefactors, " And every Evening, before they depart the School, 

the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Creed." — Statutes, 
1570. Carlisle, i., 516. 

1^' In Bunbury some portion of the Scriptures was read and prayers 
were said at the meeting of the school; before dinner some portion of the 
New Testament was to be rendered from Greek or Latin into English, 
while at night before their departure the pupils were to read a chapter 
from the Bible, to sing a psalm, and to say prayers, each pupil, ' 'according 
to his capacity and his friends' ability, to be provided with a Bible, 
Testament, and Service Book. " — Founder's Will, 1594. C. C. R., x., 194. 

"" Cf. cases of Sandwich and Oundle quoted in next footnote. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 153 

sometimes appointed b}^ the master,"^ not infrequently by some 
Church official/" while in some cases they were prescribed by 
the founders^*^ or by the governors.^** Their character can be 
judged best by considering some of the prayers themselves. 
The following cases are typical and will indicate the chief charac- 
teristics of prayers said by the pupils in the daily devotional 
exercises of the schools. 



"' In Sandwich the master and usher, or one of them at least, with 
their pupils were ' ' at halfe hower before seaven of the clock, firste de- 
voutely kneling on their knees "to " praie to almightie God according to 
the fourme by the master prescribed, on every schole daie, ' ' and hkewise 
in the evening before leaving the school they were ' ' devoutly on their 
knees" to pray "in fourme by the master to be prescribed." — Statutes 
1580. Boys, History of Sandwich, 288. Similarly in Oundle the morning 
and evening prayers were to be in the form prescribed by the master but 
they were always to contain mention of the Church, the Queen's Majesty, 
the Realm, the Lady Laxter (wife of the founder), and the Company of 
Grocers of London (the governors of the school). — Statutes, Eliz. Car- 
lisle., ii., 217. 

"^ Daily ' ' at their coming to school in the morning and at their de- 
parture at night and at such time as they go to play ' ' the pupils of 
the school at Seven Oaks were to say ' ' such prayers as shall be appointed 
ty the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury 's Grace. ' ' These prayers were to 
be "written in a table and kept in the school for the same purpose." 
On every Friday morning throughout the year, the pupils were to hear the 
Procession said or sung, after which they were to pray for the "good 
estate of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury ' ' and to give God thanks for 
the benefits bestowed upon them by their benefactors, "in such manner 
and sort as shall be prescribed in the said Table." — Statutes, 1574. 
Carlisle, i., 622. In Burford, the master was to exhort his scholars four 
times a year ' ' to give thanks to God, ' ' and he was then to recite the names 
of all the founders and benefactors of the school, and then they were to 
sing a psalm and "depart from the school." — Monk, Hist, of Burford 134. 

*^^ The following statute was made by the founder of the school at 
Witton concerning this subject: — 

"And that they thrice a day serve God in the School, rendering him 
thanks for his goodness done to them, craving his especial grace that 
they may profit in virtuous learning to his honor and glory, praying for 
the Soul of their Founder by name, and for the Souls of his Father and 

Mother and all Christian Souls and once every week, that is to say 

on the Friday, to say the Seven Penetential Psalms with the Litany of 
Prayer and Collect, and every second Friday the Psalms of the Passion 
with Psalms of Mercy and de Profundis with a Collect at the end thereof, 

and once a year, that is to say on Jesus Day in the afternoon, in 

whose name this school is erected in the Parish Church aforesaid, to say 
the Dirigay and Comondasony. " — Statutes, 1558. Carlisle, i., 133. 

*" C/. Appendix T., Morning and Evening Prayer at East Retford. 



154 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

The founder of the school at Hawkeshead, Bishop Sands ^ 
Archbishop of York, treats the subject in his Statutes as follows: 

' 'Also I ordayne and Constytute, that certayne godlye Prayers- 
hereafter set downe and ymediatelie followinge in these Con- 
stytucons, be made in the said schole by the scholemaster for 
the tyme beinge, the usher and the schollers of the same schole, 
eu''ie mornynge before the said scholemaster, and usher begin to 
teache the said schollers and everie eveninge ymediatelie before 
the breakinge up of the said schole. And eu^'ie day before they 
goe to dynner to singe a Psalme in Meter in the said schole. 

' ' A Prater for the Morninge 

' ' Most mightie god, and m^cyfull f father, we sinners by nature, 
yett thy Children by grace, here pstrate before thy devyne 
Ma*'^' doe acknowledge our Corrupcon in nature, by reason of 
our synne to be suche, that we ar not able as of our selues to 
thinke one good thought much lesse able to pffytte in good 
learninge and lyterature, and to come to the knowledge of thy 
Sonne Chryste o'" sauiour, except yt shall please the of thie 
great grace and goodnes to illumynate o"" understandinge, to 
stregthen o'' feable memories, to instructe us by thy holie spyritt, 
and soe powre upon us thy good guifts of grace, that we may 
learne to knowe to practyse those thyngs in these o'' studies, 
as may most tende to the glory e of thy name, to the profitt of 
thy Churche, and to the pformaunce of our Chrystyan dewtie, 
Heare us O god, graunt this our Peticon, and blysse o'' studies 
O heavenlye ffather, for thy sonne Jesus Chrystes sake, in whose 
name we call upon the, and saye our father, &c. 

' ' A Prayer for the Queenes Ma^*^ 

"0 lord our heavenlie father, highe and myghtie kinge of 
kinges, lord of lords, the onlie ruler of Prynces w'^^ doest from 
thie throne beholde all the dwellers uppon the aerthe, most 
hartelie we beseche the w*'^ thy favour to beholde our moste 
gratious Soureigne Ladie Queene Elizabethe, and soe replenishe 
her w*^ the grace of the holie spirytte, that she may allwaie 
inclyne to thy will and walke in thy waye, indue her plentifuUie 
w*'^ heavenlie gifts, graunte her in healthe and welthe, longe to 
live, stregthe her, that she maie vanquishe an ou''come all her 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 155 

Enymes, and finallie after this lyfEe, she may attayne eu^asting, 
ioye and felicytie, throughe Jesus Chryste o"" Lord Amen. 

"Eveninge praier att breakinge up of the Schole. 

' ' Most gratious god and most m^'cyfuU father we acknowledge 
how muche we ar bownde to thy divine Ma*^^ for all those great 
guifts and manifolde m'^cyes w*^^ thou of thy mere grace and 
favour hathe bestowed uppon us, as well for o"^ Eleccion, Creacon, 
Redempcon, Justification, and sanctification, w*^ all other good 
gifts of bo die and mynde, and what else soeu"" we haue of thy 
grace and fauour we haue receyued yt. As alsoe that thou 
haste moved the mynde, and stirred up the harte of Edwyn 
Archbushopp of Yorke our ffounder to purchase and puide this 
free grammar Schole for us for o'' educacon and breedinge in 
good literature and learninge. Graunt O god that we may 
eu^ be thankfull for the same, and giue us grace not to abuse 
this great gifte of mercie ; but that we may soe applie o'" studies- 
holpen and directed by thy holie spiritt, that we maie increase 
in all good knowledge and learninge to the glorie and prayse 
of thy name. Graunt This O god for thy sonne Jessu Chryst's 
sake o"" onelie Redem^ and savio'". 

' ' All hono'" glorye and praise be giuen to the most m''cifull 
father and gratious god, for all thy louinge kindnes and mani- 
folde graces powred downe uppon us, Namelie that yt hath 
pleased the to ptct us in this daie from all daingers of the Enimie 
bodelie and ghostlie, and to increase thy gifts of knowledge, 
and godliness in us. Graunt us O good god to loue the for 
these soe great m'"cies, still to growe in thankfullnes more and 
more towards the; And for soe muche as thou haste appointed 
the Nighte to reste in, as the daie to travill, giue unto us suche 
quiete and moderate sleepe, as may strengthen our weake bodies 
to beare those labours wherunto thou shalte appoint them. Suffer 
not the Prince of darkness to preuaile in the darknes of the nght, 
nor for eu'" againste us: but watche thou still ou^ us w*'^ thine 
Eye, and garde us w*^ thy hand aganiste all his decypts, and 
assaulte, and thouhe o*" bodies doe sleepe, make thou our soules 
to watche lokinge for the appearinge of the sonne Jesus Chryste 
that we may be wakinge to mete him in the Cloudes to entre 
w*^ him into eternall ioye and blissednes. These things we 
Croue at thie handes for thy Sonne Christe Jesus sake, to whom 



156 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

w*^ the and the holie ghoste be rendred all praise glorie and 
ma*'® for eu*" and eu^ Amen."'" 

Made possible by the gifts and endowments of many men and 
organizations and maintained through the labors of governors 
and masters, the influences just described were such as tended 
to develop in the grammar-school boys of this period a peculiar 
type of character moulded by Morality and Religion as well as by 
Scholarship. As an ideal, the realization of this type of charac- 
ter in the lives of deserving boys furnished the most powerful 
motives for the foundation and maintenance of the schools; as 
a standard, it was applied to determine the type of master who 
was to control as well as to be a part of these influences; while 
AS the chief educational aim of this period, it determined both 
content and method of the curriculum of the English Grammar 
Schools of the Elizabethan Age. 

"^Statutes, 1588. Cowper, Hawkshead, 475-8. Cf. Appendix T., 
Morning and Evening Prayers at East Retford. 



APPENDICES 

Page 

A. List of Schools 157 

B. Schools supported by Annuities 171 

C. Schools supported by Revenues from Lands 171 

D. Schools governed by Feoffees 172 

E. Schools governed by Town Corporations. 172 

F. Schools governed by Incorporated Governors 173 

G. Accounts of Bailiff Feofifees of School at Witton, 1596 174 

H. Statement of Revenues of School at Hartlebury, 1557-8 175 

I. Licenses granted to Schoolmasters 176 

J. Sections from various Articles of Visitation 177 

Letter of Queen 's Council to Archbishop Grindle 178 

K. Letter concerning Election of Master at Witton 179, 

L. Salary List 1 80 

M. List of Schools in which Grammar was prescribed 183 

N. Authors read at Winchester in 1550 184 

O. Curriculum, Eton, 1560 185 

P. Grammar School Time Table, Close of i6th Century 186 

Q. Number of Pupils in Schools. . .J. 188 

R. Itemized Account of Schoolhouse erected in Louth, 1557-8 ... 189 

S. Description of Schoolhouse to be built in Tiverton 190 

T. Morning and Evening Prayers at East Retford 191 

U. Cathedral and Cathedral School Finances 191 

V. Grammar School Statutes 192^ 

APPENDIX A 
List of Schools Founded or Existing in Reign of Queen Elizabeth 

Abergavenny, f.' 1543, by Henry VIII. Charter in effect to the beginning 

of reign of Wm. III.^ — C, ii., 164. 
Abingdon, f., 1562, by John Royse, Citizen and Mercer of London. — C, i., 

28. About 1570 Sir Thomas Smith was a pupil here. — D. N. B.,' 

LIII., 127. 
Aldenham, f., 1599, by Richard Piatt, Brewer of London. — C, i., 528. 
Alford, Donations made to school in 1565, while L. P.* were granted in 

1576. — S. I. C.,* xvi., 155. Statutes were made in 1599. — C, i., 784, 
Alnwick.' Record of salary given to master in 1588. — Tate, Alnwick, 

"•.73- 
Andover, f., 1569, by John Hanson, Gentleman (native). — C, ii., 437. 
Appleby." Endowment was received in 1569, while L. P. were issued in- 

1574. — S. I. C, xix., 301. Reginald Bainbrigg, B.A., was appointed 

master in 1580. — D. N. B., II., 434. 



158 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Ashbome, f., 1585, by subscription under L. P. — S. I. C, xvi., 436. 
Ashburton." Chapel deeded for school-house in 1593. — S. I. C, xiv., 275. 
Ashby de la Zouch, f., 1567. — C, i., 742. George Bainbridge was master 

about 1587.— D. N. B., VI., 182. 
Ashton-in-Makerfield, f., 1588, and in 1589 site was granted for school. — 

S. I. C, xvii., 158. 
Atherstone. Charter granted in 1573. — C, ii., 615. 

Aylesbury, f., about 1584, by Sir Henry Lee. — Gibbs Aylesbury, 476. 
Aylesham," f., 151 7, by Robt. Jennys, Mayor of Norwich. — C, ii., 177. 

In 1567 a scholarship was founded for scholars from this school. — 

C, ii., 185. There is record of vacancy being filled in 1573. Strype, 
Life of Archbishop Parker, ii., 335. 

Bamestaple. Record of the school in 1597. — Gribble, Memorials of 

Barnestaple, 521. 
Barton-under-Needwood, 1593 is the date of foundation deed. — S. I. C, 

XV., 379. 
Basingstoke, f., reign of Henry VIII. — C, ii., 438. Mention of : chool in 

1580. — Baigent and Millard, A History of Basingstoke, 668. 
Bath, f., 1553 by Edward VI. — C, ii., 400. John Hales (1584-1656) 

was pupil of this school about 1597. — D. N. B., XXIV., 30. 
Bedale.' School endowed by Queen Elizabeth. — S. I. C, xviii., 509. 
Bedford. * Charter granted in 1552. — C, i., i. School endowed in 1566 

by Sir William Harpur. — C, i., 2. 
Berkhampsted.* Free School of Ed. VI., founded in 1549. — C, i., 532 

Record of three ushers before 1561. — Cobb, History of Berk- 

hampsted,ii6 Richard Field, D.D., (1561-1616) pupil, about 1575. — 

D. N. B., XVIII., 410. 

Berwick-upon-Tweed. Record of three schools in city in 1577. — Scott, 

Berwick-upon-Tweed, 393. 
Biddenden," f., 1566, by will of John Mayne. — S. I. C, xi., 21. 
Birmingham, f., 1552, by Ed. VI. — C, ii., 621. 
Bishop Stortford, f., 1579, by will of Mrs. Margaret Dane. — S. I. C, xii., 

93- 
Blackburn.' Chantry school dissolved in reign of Ed. VI., while in 1567 

L. P. were granted upon petition of the inhabitants. — S. I. C, 

xviii., 173. Lawrence Anderton, learned Jesuit (1577-1643), a pupil 

about 1590. — D. N. B., I., 396. 
Blackrod, f., 1568, by will of John Holmes. — S. I. C, xvii., 178. 
Bodmin,' f., and endowed by Queen Elizabeth. — C, i., 137. 
Bosbury, L. P. of endowment granted in 1566. — S. I. C, xv., 205. 
Boston.' Before reign of Ed. VI., school was supported by guild of St. 

Peter and St. Paul. — C. C. R.,' xxxii., pt. 4., 11. — L. P., 1554. — 

C, i., 788. School house built, 1567. — Whitefield, Boston, Old 

England, and Boston, New England, 24. 
Botesdale, or Redgrave. L. P. to Sir Nicholas Bacon, 1561. — S. I. C, 

xiii., 129. Statutes made by Bacon, 1576. — C. C. R., xxii., 150. 
Boxford. L. P., 1596. S. I. C, xiii., 131. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 159 

Brentwood, f., 1557, by Sir Anthony Browne. — C, i., 408. Statutes drawn 

up in Elizabeth 's reign by Grindal and Nowell. — Ibid. Endowment 

willed to school in 1565. — S. I. C, xiii., 17. 
Bridgewater, f., 1561, by Queen Elizabeth. — C, ii., 402. 
Bridgenorth, f., 1503, by Bailiffs and Corporation; in 1547, school was 

continued; while in the reign of Elizabeth the salary of the master 

was augmented. — C, ii., 340. 
Bristol (City Grammar School), f., 1531, by Robert Thorne. — NichoUs 

and Taylor, Bristol, ii., 256. 1561, date of deed to school. — S. I. C, 

XV., 24. 
Bristol (Cathedral Grammar School), f., 1545, by Henry VIII. — NichoUs 

and Taylor, ii., 255-6. School existed in reign of Elizabeth. Ibid. 
Bristol (Grammar School of Parish of St. Mary Redcliff), f., 1571, by 

L. P. — Barrett, History of Bristol, 596. 
Bromyard,« L. P., 1566. — C, i., 485. 
Broughton in Preston, f., 1590, by indenture of feoffment. — S. I. C, 

xvii., 197. 
Bruton," or Browton, refounded, 1553, by L. P.; Hugh Saxey, Auditor 

to Elizabeth and James, a pupil of this school. — C, ii., 412. 
Bunbury. L. P., 1594. — S. I. C, xvii., 23. 
Bungay. School as early as 1580. — S. I. C, xiii., 135. 
Burford,* refounded, 1571. — C, ii., 295. 

Burnley. Scholarships for school founded in 1572. — C. I., 706. 
Burton, f., 1520, 1590; endowment of £g received from Eliz. Paulet — S. 

I. C. XV., 396. 
Burton-Latimer, f., 1587, by deed of Elizabeth Burbank. — S. I. C, xii., 

326. 

Cambridge. Act for assurance of lands to school in 1589. 31 Eliz. 8. 

Canterbury (King's School), f., 1542, by Henry VIII. — C, i., 567 {Cf. 
also Public Schools Yearbook (1899), p. 41.) Scholarships founded 
in 1569 at Cambridge for graduates of school. — C. i., 564. 

Carlisle, (King's School), f., 1546, by Henry VIII. — C, i., 175. Main- 
tained by Dean and Chapter to 1883. — Public Schools Yearbook 
(1899), P- 46. 

Chelmsford,* L. P., 1552. — C, i., 411. Endowment for usher received, 
1565. — S. I. C, xiii., 25. 

Cheltenham,* f., 1574, by Richard Pates, Esq. — C, i., 446. 

Chester (King's School), f., 1544, by Henry VIII. — C, i., 105. Amount 
of salary of staff given for 1582. — Appendix L. 

Chesterfield, f., 1594, by Godfrey Foljambe, Esq. — C, i., 215. 

Cheveley (Raye's School), endowed by John Ray, 1558; L. P., 1568. — 
S. I. C, xii., 483. 

Chipping Bamet. L. P., 1573, granted Earl of Leicester. — C, i., 531. 
Site granted for school house, 1599. — S. I. C, xii., 108. 

Chipping Campden,* f., 1487. — C, i., 444. Robert Harris (1581-1658), 
pupil, about 1593. — D. N. B., xxv., 23. 

Chipping Norton. Schoolhouse given to school, 1572. — S.I. C.xii., 229. 



1 60 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Circencester,' f., 1508; stipend of master increased, 1573. — C, i., 447. 

Chantry converted into school, 1545. — Leach, English Schools at the 

Reformation, 326. 
Colchester, endowed by Henry VIII., 1539, and by Elizabeth, 1584. — 

C, i., 424. 
Coleshill. Two endowments dated 1563. — C. C. R., xxix., 103 1. 
Colne. Notice of appointment of master in 1557 and following years. — 

Marsh, History of Colne, 209. 
Congleton. School repaired, 1553. — S. I. C, xvii., 36. School existed 

in reign of Elizabeth. — Gastrell's Notitia Cestriensis, 239, footnote 

II. 
Coventry,* f., 1546, by John Hales, Esq.; endowed, 1573, by executors of 

Hale. — C, ii., 646-7. Act of Parliament, 1581. — Private Acts, 

23 Eliz. 4. 
Coxwold, f., 1603. — S. I. C, i., App. 56. 
Cranbrook, f., 1574. — C, i., 571. 
Crediton,' L. P., 1547. — C, i., 254. L. P. confirmed and salary of master 

increased, 1559. — C, i., 257. 
Crewkeme,' 1577, date of deeds of feofifment. — S. I. C, xiv., 203. 
Cropredy, f., 1574. — S. I. C, xii., 232. 

Cromer,* managed by Goldsmith's Co. in 1569. — S. I. C, xiii., 295. 
Crosby Ravensworth. School stock increased, 1600. — S. I. C, xix., 338^ 
Crosthwaite. Deed, 1571, in school chest. — S. I. C, xix., 207. 
Croyden, f., 1600. C. C. R., xxxi., 871. 

Daresbury, f , 1600, by subscription. C, i., 108. 

Darlington,* Charter to Bishop of Durham, 1567. C, i., 389. 

Dartford, founder's deed, 1576. S. I. C, i., App. 52. 

Daventry, f., 1576, by Wm. Parker, Woolen Draper, London. — C, ii., 205. 

Dean, f., 1596, by John Fox, Goldsmith. — C, i., 187. 

Dedham, endowed by Wm. Littlebury, Gent., 1571; L. P., 1574- — C, i., 
428. 

Derby, 11 62. Mansion given as school house to Canons of Darby; Queen 
Mary gave school to Corporation. — C.,i.,2i8. Endowment received 
for augmentation of master's salary, 1605. — S. I. C, xvi., 487. 

Doncaster. School mentioned in records of Elizabeth's reign. — A Calen- 
dar of the Records of the Borough of Doncaster, iv., 57, 73. 

Donhaved,* aided by Queen Elizabeth. — Richard Peter, History of 
Launceston and Dunhaved, 340—50. 

Dorchester, 1569, date on the wall of school house. — C, i., 364. 1579, 
date of founder's deed. — S. I. C, i., App. 58. 

Drayton in Hales, L. P., 1555. — C, ii., 347. Record of school in reiga 
of Elizabeth. — C. C. R., xxiv., 301. 

Dronfield, L. P., 1571; school endowed, 1579. — C, i., 221. 

Dudley. 1562, date of one of school deeds. — S. I. C, xv., 555. 

East Adderbury, f., 1589, by Christopher Rawlins, B.D. — C, ii., 292. 
East Retford.* Statutes made in 1552. — C, ii., 280. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 6 1 

Eaton College, f., 1440, by Henry VI.; existed 1 558-1 603. — Cf. H. C. 

Maxwell-Lyte, History of Eaton College. 
Elmdon, f., 1559. — S. I. C, xiii., 55. 
Enfield. 1558, date of declaration of uses in which is contained schedule 

(1507) referring to schoolmaster. — C, ii., 116. 
Evesham.* School existed in reign of Elizabeth. — C, ii., 754. 
Exeter. 1343, school mentioned; 1388, name of master given; 1561, 

school rebuilt by common subscription. — C, i., 271. Richard 

Hooker (1554-1600), theologian, pupil about 1567. — D. N. B., 

xxvii., 289. 
Eye. School mentioned in the Constitutions of Borough of Eye in 1566. 

In 1593 land was given for usher — S. I. C, xiii., 167-68. 

Famworth. f., 1507. — C, i., 653. 1547, rent charge left for usher. — 
S. I. C, xvii., 437. Excellence of grammar school, 1553-56, men- 
tioned. — Hooks, Lives, v., 190. 

Faversham. 1527, Abbey Grammar School for novices endowed, but 
was soon afterwards suppressed. — C, i., 574. L. P., 1576, upon 
petition of inhabitants. — Edward Jacobs, History of Faversham, 
54. 

Felsted, f., 1564. — C, i., 432. 

Findon, or Thingdon, f., 1542. 1595, school house built. — C, ii., 206. 
License for erection of school, 1597. — Calendar State Papers, Dom. 
1595-7. 353- 

Fotheringhay, Thomas Hurland, master, 1556-89. — C, ii., 207. 

Gainsborough. L. P., 1589. — C, i., 797. 

Giggleswick in Craven. L. P., 1553. — C, ii., 801. J. Shute (1588-1643) 
pupil, about 1597. — D. N. B., lii., 170. 

Gillingham. 1599, salary of master mentioned. — C, i., 372. 

Gloucester (St. Mary de Crypt School), f., 1528, by will of Alderman 
John Cook. — C, i., 452. First master appointed in 1547; school 
victorious in case in chancery. — C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 2., 645. John 
Taylor (1580-1653), the "water poet," a pupil about 1593. — D. 
N. B., Iv., 170. 

Godmanchester. L. P., 1561. — C, i., 555. 

Grantham,* refounded and endowed, 1553, by Ed. VI. — Street, His- 
torical Notes on Grantham, 148. Statutes of school confirmed, 
1571.— C, i., 805. 

Gravesend. 1580, supposed date of foundation. — Cruden, History of the 
Town of Gravesend, 222. Record of appointment of master, 1595. 
Ibid, 226. 

Great Bardfield. School mentioned, 1584. — S. I. C, xiii., 12. 

Great Blencow, or Dacre, f., 1577. — C, i., 170. 

Greenwich, Edmund Hooper, pupil, 1567. — D. N. B., xxvii., 301. 

Grimsby, or Great Grimsby.' L. P., 1547. — C, i., 815. 1564, school 
involved in suit in chancery. — C. C. R., xxxii., pt., 4., 423. 

II 



1 6 2 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Guildford, f., 1509, by Robert Beckingham, Grocer of London. — History 
of Guildford, 94. 1520, school house built by Corporation; 1551, 
endowment augmented by Ed. VI., upon petition; 1586, apartments 
for master completed. — C, ii., 565-67. 

Guisbrough, or Guisbum. L. P., 1561, to Robert Pursglove, Clerk. — 
C, ii., 804. 

Hadleigh, John Overall, D.D., (1560-1619), pupil, about 1575. — D. N. B., 

xlii. 
Halifax, or Skirtcoat. L. P., 1585. — C, ii., 808. 
Halsted, f., 1594, by Dame Mary Ramsay. — C, i., 434. 
Harrow, f., 1571, by John Lyon, Yeoman; statutes promulgated, 1590. 

— C, ii., 125. First headmaster appointed, 1608. — Williams, Har- 
row, 36. 
Hartlebury, Record of school as far back as 1440. L. P., 1558. — C, ii., 

757. Statement of revenues of school, 1557-8. — C. C. R., xxvi., 631. 
Hawkeshead, f., 1585. Cowper, Hawkeshead, 472. 
Heighington, f., 1601, by will of Elizabeth Jenison. — S. I. C, xix., 43. 
Hereford, 1384, earliest record of school; building erected in reign of 

EUzabeth. — C, i., 488-9. 
Heskin. L. P., 1600. — S. I. C, xvii., 270. 
Hexham. L. P., 1598. — C, ii., 245. 
Higham Ferrers, f., 1422. — C, ii., 209. L. P., 1556, granting borough 

right to elect master. — S. I. C, xii., 347. 
Highgate, f., 1562, by Sir Roger Cholmely to whom L. P. were granted 

in 1565. — C, ii., 162. In 1565 gift was received rom Edmund 

Grindal. — S. I. C, xii., 35. 
High Wycombe, or Wycombe. Memorandum of school, 1552, in cor- 
poration register; 1562, mention made of master's salary. — C, i., 

94. Parker, Wycombe, 143. 
Hoddesdon. Joseph Mead (1586-1631), pupil. — D. N. B., xxxvii., 

178. 
Homcastle, f., 1571, by L. P. to Edward Lord Clynton and Saye. — C, 

i., 817. 
Horsham, f., 1532. — C, ii., 601. Thomas Comber (1575-1654), D.D., 

pupil. — D. N. B., xi., 435. 
Houghton e Spring. About 1569, Hugh Broughton (1549-1612), pupil. — 

D. N. B., v., 459. 1574, date of foundation charter. — C, i,. 403. 
Himtingdon. Dwelling house of master rebuilt, 1 561. — C. C. R., xxiv., 17. 

School mentioned in report of Commissioners of Charitable Uses, 

1570. — S. I. C, xii., 421. 

Ilkley. School taught, 1601, on such terms as master could make with 
parents; school really established, 1637. — CoUyer and Turner, 
Ilkley, 175. 

Ipswich. Mention of schoolmaster as early as 1477 and 1488. — C, ii., 
521. Earlier charter confirmed, 1566. — Ipswich, Gifts and Legacies, 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 163 

Kendal, or Kirkby Kendal,' endowed, 1525 and 1548; school house 
built, 1588. — Nicholson, The Annals of Kendal, 189. 

Kimbolton, f., 1600, by deed. — S. I. C, xii., 425. 

King's Lynn, turned over to Corporation, 1550. — C, ii., 182. Mentioned 
in Records, 1 558-1603. — C. C. R., xxviii., 25. 

Kingston-upon-HuU, or Hull, f., i486; suppressed and refounded by Ed. 
VI. — C, ii., 830. Order confirmed by Elizabeth. — S. I. C, xviii., 457. 

Kingston-upon-Thames, endowed, 1561, upon petition of bailiffs, free- 
men, and inhabitants. — Roots, The Charters of the Town of Kingston- 
upon-Thames, 85-97. L. P., 1564. — C, ii., 575. 

Kinver, endowed 1571, and 1592. — S. I. C, xv., 420. 

Kirkby Lonsdale. L. P. of foundation, 1591. — C, ii., 721. 

Kirkby Stephen. L. P. of foundation, 1566. — C, ii., 714. 

Kirton in Lindsay, f., 1577, by decree of Court of Exchequer. — S. I. C, 
xvi., 250. 

Lancaster.' School first mentioned in the records of the Corporation 

as a chantry school, 1495. — Simpson, History of Lancaster, 332. 

Record of increase in salary of usher, 161 5. — S. I. C, i., App., 38. 
Laughton, f., 1578, by L. P. — S. I. C, i., App., 38. 
Lavenham. George Ruggle (15 75-1 62 2), author of Ignoramus, pupil. — 

D. N. B., xlix,. 392. 
Leeds, endowed, 1552, 1555, and 1595. — C, i., 502; Wardell, The 

Municipal History of Leeds, 841. 
Leicester, f., 1564, by Queen. — S. I. C, i., App., 50. House built for 

Master, 1575. — Thompson, History of Leicester, 259. 
Lewes and Southover, f., 1512; existed 1558— 1603; bequest received 

1611. — S. I. C, xi., 254; C, ii., 609. 
Leyland.' Grant received from Elizabeth. — C, i., 670. 
Lichfield (St. John's Hospital Grammar School), endowed 1567. — S. I. C, 

XV., 428. 
Lichfield,' f., and endowed by Ed. VI., mention made of school, 1577. — 

C, ii., 479-80. 
Lincoln. Union of Chapter and City schools. — C, i., 817. 
Liskeard. Commissioners of Ed. VI. report in favor of continuing 

school; accounts in the reign of Elizabeth include master's salary. — 

S. I. C, xiv., 432. 
Little Walsingham. School received benefaction, 1572. — C, ii., 178. 
Liverpool.' Record of salary paid to master in reign of Elizabeth; 

record of vacancy filled, 1599. — Picton, Memorials of Liverpool, 

ii., 562; Picton, City of Liverpool, 100. 
London, Christ Hospital, f., 1553, by Ed. VI. — C, ii., 121; cf. Bibli- 
ography. 
London, Mercers School. Cf. works mentioned in Bibliography. 
London, Merchant Taylors, f., 1561, by Merchant Taylors. — C, ii., 49. 
London, Saint Dunstan-in-the-West, f., 1562, by Queen. — S. I. C, i. 

App. 49. 
London, Saint Pauls, f., 1509, by Dean Colet. — C, ii., 70. 



1 64 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

London, Westminster College, f., 1560, by Queen. — C, i., 90. 

Loughborough. At the time of the Reformation chantry lands were 
converted to school support; decree concerning school issued by 
Sir Nicholas Bacon, 1596. — C, i., 775; S. I. C, i., App., 39. 

Louth.' New school house erected, 1557. — Goulding, Louth, 109. 
L. P., 1552 and 1564. — C, i., 822; S. I. C, xvi., 273. 

Lowestoft, f., 1 5 71, by deed. — S. I. C, xiii., 216. 

Maidstone. L. P., 1549 and 1559. — S. I. C, xi., 68; James, Charters 
of Maidstone, 45. School mentioned in letter of Archbishop Parker 
to the Barons of the Exchequer, 1562. — Hook, Lives, iv., 456. 

Maldon, 1589. — Sir John Bramston (i 577-1654), pupil. — D. N. B., VI. 

Manchester.' Thomas Cogan, highmaster 1574-1600. — Axon, Man- 
chester, 25. 

Mansfield. L. P. of foundation, 1561. — C, ii., 281. 

Market Bosworth. Endowed school existed before 1592. — C. C. R., 
xxxii., pt. 5., 183. School endowed, 1593. — C, i., 752. L. P., 
1601. — S. I. C, xvi., 41. 

Marlborough. L. P., 1551. — C, ii., 744. School house "propped up," 
1576. — Wayland, History of Marlborough, 465. 

Martley, near Worcester, 1579. — Endowment vested in feoffees. — C, 
ii., 766. 

Middleton.' School re-established by L. P., 1572. — C, i., 705. 

Milton Abbas,' near Blandford. Decree by Commissioners of Charitable 
Uses, 1600. S. I. C, xiv., 94. 

Moulton, f., 1560, by John Harrox, Yeoman, native of Moulton; dispute 
concerning income, 1599. — C, i., 837. 

Nantwich," f., 1572; building erected. — S. 1. C, xvii., 74; Hail, History 

of Nantwich, 276. 
Netherbury. School interested in dispute, 1565. — S. I. C, xiv., 117. 
Newark-upon-Trent.' Feoffees convey estates to town, 1572. — S. I. C, 

xvi., 407. 
Newbury.' Notice concerning master, 1559. — Money, History of New- 
bury, 312. 
Newcastle under Lyme, f., 1602. — S. I. C, xv. 
Newcastle upon Tyne, f., circum 1525; became royal foundation, 1600. — 

C, ii., 253. 
Newport, f., 1586. C, i., 437. 

New Woodstock, L. P., 1585 and 1599. — C., ii., 322. 
Norfolk. Sir Robert Dallington (i 561-163 7), master for some time in 

reign of EHzabeth. — D. N. B., XIII., 399. 
Normanton,' endowed, 1592. — S. I. C, xviii., 190. 
Northampton, f., 1542, Thomas Chipsy, Grocer. — C, ii., 210. Gift 

from Cardinal Pole received, 1557. — S. I. C, xii., 355. 
North Leach, £., 1559. — C, i., 454. 
Norwich, f., before Reformation; Master's salary increased, 1562. — C, ii., 

184-85. Sir Edw. Coke (1552-1634), pupil. — D. N. B., XL, 229. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 165 

Nottingham,' endowed, 1558. — C, ii., 273. School built, 1578, and 

rebuilt, 1596. — Records of Borough of Nottingham, 182. 
Nuneaton, f., 1553; gift to schools, 1587. — S. I. C, xv., 715. 

Oakham, f., 1587, by Robert Johnson, Archdeacon of Leicester. — S. I. C, 
xvi., 123. Camden, Britain, 525, mentions this school. 

Oswestry.' School in reign of Elizabeth. — Ca thrall, Oswestry, 108. 

Oundle, f., 1556. — C, ii., 214. Camden, Britain, 510, mentions school. 

Oxford (Christ Church Cathedral School) , f., 1546, by Henry VIII.; boys 
converted into academical students by Elizabeth. — S. I. C, xii., 248. 

Peniston, f., before 1603. — S. I. C, i., App. 56. 

Penrhyn," f., by Elizabeth. — C, i., 142. 

Penrith. Chantry school founded, 1395, and dissolved, 1547; L. P. for 

foundation of grammar school, 1564. — C, i., 191. 
Penwortham. School has existed since 1552. — S. I. C, xvii., 357. 
Plymouth, f., temp. Henry VII., by Corporation. — C, i., 335. Record of 

school in reign of Elizabeth. — Worth, History of Plym.outh, 271. 
Pocklington, f., 1526. — C, ii., 863. School endowed, 1564. — S. I. C, 

xviii., 461. 
Pontefract," continued by Commissioners, 1548; 1583; salary of master 

settled in court of Duchy of Lancaster. — S. I. C, xviii., 201. 
Prescot, endowed, 1600. — S. I. C, xvii., 369. 

Ratcliflfe. Mr. Ward mentioned as master, 1560. — D. N. B., i., 401. 
Reading, endowed by Henry VII.; L. P., 1560. — Guilding, Records, i., 

386. W. Laud, 1573-1645, pupil.— D. N. B., XXXII., 185. 
Repton, f., tem^. Ed. VI., L. P., 1557; list of masters, 1557-1589. — C, i., 

231. 235. 
Richmond. L. P., 1568. — C, ii., 875. 
Ringwood, f., 1586, by deed. — S. I. C, xi., 350. 
Ripon, f., 1555. — C, ii., 883. School existed in reign of Elizabeth. — 

C. C. R., ;ii., 481. 

Risley, endowed, circum 1593, by Sir Willoughby and Wife. — C, i., 237. 
Rivington near Bolton, f., 1566, by Bishop of Durham. — C, i., 714. 
Rochdale. Site given by Vicar of Rochdale, 1562. — S. I. C, xvii., 392. 

F., 1565, by Matthew Parker, D.D., — C. i., 718. 
Rochester, Free Grammar School. Phineas Pitt, pupil, 1580-83. — ' 

D. N. B., xlv., 104. 

Rosbury, f., before 1558; endowed by Elizabeth. — C, i., 480. 

Rotherham.' Decree for continuing grammar school, 1561. — S. I. C, 
xviii., 228 School "founded," 1584. — C, ii., 889. Robert San- 
derson (1587-1663), Bishop of Lincoln, pupil. — D. N. B., L., 265. 

Rothwell, near Kettering, f., 1581, by Queen. — C, ii., 223. 

Rugby, f., 1567, by Lawrence Sheriff. — C, ii., 662. 

Saffron Walden,' Arthur Hildersam (i 563-1 632), pupil. — D. N. B., 
XXVI., 382. School endowed, 1593. — C, i., 442. 



1 66 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

St. Albans. Abbey school, 1195; L. P., 1553; statutes, 1570. — C, i., 

508-14. 
St. Bees, or St. Beghes, or Kirkby Beacock, f., 1583, by Edmund Grindall, 

Archbishop of Canterbury. — C, i., 152. 
St. Edmund's Bury.* School house built, 1198; present school founded 

by Ed. VI.; first mention of master's name, 1562. — C, ii., 513, 516. 

Edmund Coote, M.A., master from June 5, 1596 to May, 1597. — 

D. N. B., XII., 158. 
St. Giles, Holbom. Coles, the master, accused of being a catholic or 

a catholic sympathizer. — Calendar of State Papers, Dom., 1591- 

1594, 258, 262. 
St. Mary of Ottery, refounded by Henry VIII.; school mentioned, 1574. — 

C, i., 323, 325. 
St. Olaves in Southwark. L. P., 1570; school house built previous. — 

C, ii., 578- 
St. Saviour, or St. Mary Overey. L. P., 1562, granted upon petition of 

inhabitants who had erected a school house. — C, ii., 582. 
Salisbury, City School, f., 1569, by Queen. — C, ii., 746. 
Saltash.* L. P. of foundation granted by Elizabeth. — C, i., 143. 
Sandwich, f., 1563. — Boys, History of Sandwich, 199. 
Scarbrough, f., 1561. Lee, The Church under Elizabeth, 112. First 

record of school, 1597. — Baker History of Scarbrough, 300. 
Sedbergh. Chantry school founded, 1528; school refounded, 1552, by 

Ed. VI. — Piatt, History of Sedburgh Grammar School. School 

register contains information concerning school in reign of Elizabeth. 
Seven Oaks, f., 1418. L. P., 1560. — C, i., 616-19. 
Sherborne, f., 1551, by Ed. VI.; site of school granted, 1553. — C, i., 379, 

381. School endowed, 1558. — S. I. C, xiv., 127. John Falconer 

(1577-1656), Jesuit, pupil, 1568-1573.— D. N. B., XVIII,. 161. 
Shiffnal, f., 1595, by deed. — S. I. C, i., App., 55. 
Shrewsbury, endowed, 1551, by Ed. VI.; endowed, 1571, by Queen. — C, 

ii., 374-75. School mentioned by Camden, 1586, as largest school 

in England for the education of boys. — Owen and Blakeway, History 

of Shrewsbury, i., 371, 384. 
Solihull, f., 1602.— S. I. C, i., App., 56. 
Southampton, f., 1553, by Ed. VI. — C, ii., 447. Schoolmaster mentioned, 

1577. — Davies, History of Southam.pton, 312. 
Southover and Lewes. Cf. Lewes. 
Southwell," Collegiate School, mentioned as early as 1512. — C, ii.,289. 

Statutes, 1585. — S. I. C, xvi., 426. 
Spalding, f., 1586, by L. P.— S. I. C, xvi., 298. 
Stafford.* L. P., 1572. — C, ii., 492. 
Stamford, or Stanford,' f., 1548, by Act of Parliament; Robert Mylnes, 

master, 1592. — C, i., 848-49. 
Staveley, f., before 1601. — S. I. C, i., App., 56. 
Stevenage, f., 1558, by Thomas Allen. — C, ii., 511. 
Stone, near Stafford, f., by Thomas Allen. — C, ii., 495. 
Stow-on-the-Wold. School probably built in 1594. — S. I. C, xv., loi. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth . 167 

Stradbroke. Gift from founder, 1587. — S. I. C, i., App., 54. 

Stratford-on-Avon. Endowment to Holy Cross Guild for the mainten- 
ance of schoolmaster, 1482. L. P., 1553, incorporating town as 
governors of the school. — S. I. C, xv., 732. Walter Roche, master 
about 1571.— D. N. B., LI., 351. 

Sudbury, f., 1491 ; existed in reign of Elizabeth. — C, ii., 533. 

Sutton Valence, £., 1578, and endowed by Wm. Lambe, Gent., at whose 
expense the school house was built. — C, i., 624. 

Tadcaster, f., 1559, by deed. — S. I. C, xviii., 274. 

Tamworth." Grammar school restored, and annuity formerly paid to 
master, granted by Queen. — C, ii., 496. 

Tarwin, f., about 1600, by will of Mr. Pickering. — S. I. C, xvii., 92. 

Tauton.* Land purchased for master's salary, 1558. — S. I. C, xiv. , 237. 

Tenterden.' School mentioned, 1562. — Hook, Lives, iv., 450. 

Thame, f., 1559, by Lord Williams of Thame. — Gibbs, History of Ayles- 
bury, 477. L. P., 1574. — C, ii., 312. Theophilus Higgons (1578— 
1659), pupil.— D. N. B., XXVI., 370. 

Thetford. Priest collated master of the school, 1328; death of master 
and apparent cessation of school, 1496. For some time previous 
to 1566 the school was supported by Sir Richard Fulmerston; soon 
after 1566 his heirs erected a free grammar school. — C, ii., 190. 

Tideswell, f., 1560. — S. I. C, i., App., 48. 

Tiverton, f., 1599. — C, i., 339. 

Topcliffe, near Thirsk. Commissioners allowed master £$ per annum, 
1548. — S. I. C, xviii., 587. Endowment received, 1588. — C, ii., goS. 

Tunbridge, f., 1552. L. P., 1554; Act of Parliament assuring lands to 
school, 1572; Act of 1572 confirmed by Parliament, 1589. — C, i., 
626-27. 

Uppingham, f., 1587. — S. I. C, xvi., 123. School mentioned by Camden, 

Britain, 525. 
Urswick, L. P., 1585. — S. I. C, xvii., 415. 
Uttoxeter, f., 1558, by Thomas Allen. — C, ii., 498. 

Wainfleet, f., 1484; additionally endowed, 1579. — C, i., 853-54. 

Wakefield," L. P., 1591. — C, ii., 910. 

Walthamstow, f., 1541, by Sir George Monox. — S. I. C, xiii., 87. Master 
one of the parties to deed dated 1599. — C. C. R., xxv., 131. 

Wantage. Act of Parliament concerning school lands, 1598. — C, i., 43. 

Warrington, established, 1526; suit in Duchy Court over possessions of 
school, 1607. — S. I. C, xvii., 417. 

Warton, L. P., 1595. — S. I. C, i., App., 55. Roger Dodsworth sent to 
this school in 1599. — D. N. B., XV., 131. 

Warwick.' Record of bequest by Thomas Oaken, a Mercer in Warwick, 
1573. — C, ii., 692. Bequest by master, 1594. — Blackbook of War- 
wick, 400. 

Wellingborough." Statutes, 1596. — C, ii., 227. 



1 68 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Wells.' Tobie Matthew (i 546-1626), Archbishop of York, pupil, 1559. — 

D. N. B., XXXVII. , 61. During the reign of Elizabeth same master 

taught choristers and grammar scholars. — Leach, English Schools at 

the Reformation, 1 1 . 
West Lavington. 1542, date of founder's will; site bought, 1553. — S. I. 

C, xiv., 55. 
Wethersfield. JosephMead (1586-1638), pupil.— D. N. B., XXXVII., 178. 
Whalley, f., 1548, by Ed. VI.; Scholarships established for graduates 

of this school, 1572. — C, i., 720, 643. 
Whitchurch, f., 1550. — S. I. C, xv., 326. Statutes made in 1550 in 

force in 1570. — C. C. R., xxiv., 337. 
Wigan. School documents dated 1596 still in existence. Sinclair, 

History of Wigan, i., 173. 
Wimbome Minster,' f., 1497; continued by Ed. VI.; refounded by L. P., 

1563.— C, i., 383-85- 
Winchester College. First master engaged, 1373. — C, ii., 449. Existed 

in reign of Elizabeth. — Cf. Leach, History of Winchester College. 
Wirksworth, f., and endowed, 1575. — C, i., 239. 
Witton, near Northwich (Northwich School) f., 1558, by Sir John Dean. — 

C, i., 129. 
Worcester, (King's School), f., 1541, by Henry VIII. — C, ii., 776. Gram- 
mar school not separated from choir school until 1884. — Ptiblic 

Schools Yearbook (1899), 301. 
Worcester, Free Grammar School, f., and endowed, 1561, by Queen. — 

C, ii., 777. Robert Harris (1581-1658), pupil. — D. N. B., XXV., 23. 
Wotton under Edge.' School existed in reign of Elizabeth. — C, i., 468. 
Wye. School mentioned, 1562. Hook, Lives, iv., 450. 
Wymondham, f., 1559, by Queen; feoffees charged with misemployment 

of money, 1570. — C, ii., 199. 

Yarm. L. P., 1588; school endowed, 1589. — C, ii., 915. 

Yarmouth. Record of school, 1562. — Manship, History of Yarmouth, 368. 

Yeovil. An old church converted into a school house at the expense of 

the parish, 1573. — S. I. C, xiv., 245. 
Yoresbridge, or Askrigg, near Bainbridge, f., 1601. — C, ii., 917. 
York, Cathedral School, f., 1557. — S. I. C, xviii., 418. School examined 

by Prebendaries at the command of Archbishop Parker. — Strype, 

Parker, ii., 22. 



List of Schools believed to have existed in reign of Elizabeth, but 
concerning whose existence at this time data is lacking. 

Acaster.' Revenues of school mentioned in the reigns of Henry VIII. 
and Ed. VI.— C, ii., 778. 

Birstal, f., 1556-57. — S. I. C, xviii., 51. 

Brackley. Record of Chantry school, 1528; record of conversion of 
chantry into Free School endowed by Crown. — C, ii., 203. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 169 

Broomsgrove.' L. P., 1557. — S. I. C, xv., 547, 

Buckingham, f., by Ed. VI.t— C, i., 47. 

Burgh, or Brough under Steinmore,' f., 1506. Order for payment of 

yearly salary to master by Receiver General, 1557. — S. I. C, xix., 

326. 

■Chichester, Prebendal School, f., 1497; statutes modified, 1550. — S. I. C.» 

xi., 221. 
Clitheroe, f., and endowed by Mary; statutes, 1622. — S. I. C, xvii., 229. 

Durham,' f., 1541, by Henry VIII. — C, i., 402. L. P., 1554. — S. I. C' 
xix., 33. 

Ely, Cathedral School, f., 1541, by Henry VIII. — C, i., 100. 

Frome, f., by Ed. VI. — C, ii., 426. 

Oloucester, Cathedral School, f., before 1545 by Henry VIII. — C.,i., 
449. 

Hampton, f., 1556. — C, ii., 118. 
Hemsworth, f., 1546. — C, ii., 818. 
Holt, L. P., 1554.— S. I. C, xiii., 316. 

Ilminster. School mentioned in deed dated 1550. — C, ii., 427. 

Kings Norton. School ordered continued by Commissioners, 1548- — 

C, ii., 768. 
Kirkby near Richmond, or Kirkby Ravensworth, f., 1555. — C, ii., 836. 
Knutsford, f., before the Reformation. — C, i., iii. 

Ledbury. Supposed to have been founded at the Reformation. — C, i., 

502. 
Leominster, f., 1554, by Mary. — S. I. C, xv., 228. 
Ludlow. « Lands of Palmers' Guild of the Blessed Virgin granted to the 

Corporation for support of school, 1552. — C, i., 752. 

Macclesfield." L. P., 1552. — C, i., 117. 

Melton Mobray, f., before 1547- — C., i., 778. 

Morpeth,* f., 1552, by Ed.VI. — C, ii., 249. Hodgson, Morpeth, 36. 

Old Malton, f., 1546.— C, ii., 858. 

Peterborough, f., 1541, by Henry VIII. — C, ii., 220. 

Preston, f., by Ed. VI. — Hardwick, Preston, 487. Entry, 1612, in 
White Book, municipal records concerning school. — S. I. C, xvii., 

373- 
Rock,« endowed by Ed. VI. — C, ii., 770. 
Rochester, Cathedral Grammar School, f., 1542, by Henry VIII. — C, i., 

590- 
Skipton in Craven, f., 1548. — C, ii., 901. 
Spilsby, L. P., 1550. — S. I. C, xvi., 303. 



1 70 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Stepney, St. Dunstan's or Coopers' School, f., 1540; trust surrendered 

to Coopers' Co., 1552. — S. I. C, x., 75. 
Stockport," f., 1487. — C, i., 125. School house given town for school and 

£40 for master, 1607. — Gastrell's Notitia Cestriensis, 302. 
Stoke, f., about 1535, by Matthew Parker, D.D. — C, ii., 532. 
Stourbridge," f., 1553, by Ed. VI. — C, ii., 772. 
Sutton Coldfield, f., 1540; record of master's appointment, 1548. — C.^ 

ii., 687-88. 

Totnes, f., and supported by Corporation, 1554. — C, i., 360. 
Towcester." Chantry converted into school, 1549. — C, ii., 224. 

Walsall. L. P., 1554. — Willmore, History of Walsall, 209. 
Wellington. School continued by Commissioners, 1549. — C, ii., 397. 
Winchcombe, existed in reign of Henry VIII. — S. I. C, i., App. 43. 
Wisbeck. L. P., 1548. — C, i., loi. 
Wordsborough, endowed by Henry VIII. — S. I. C, xviii., 302. 

York, Holgate's School, f., 1546. — C, ii., 919. 



List of Schools whose existence in the reign of Elizabeth is doubt - 
ful, but whose existence is known before and after that reign. 

Bingley. 1529. — S. I. C, i., App. 41. 
Blechingley, 1556. — S. I. C, i., App. 50. 

Blissworth. Mentioned in report of commission, 1549. — C, ii., 202. 
Bradford," f., as early as 1553. — C, ii., 790. Allowance withdrawn, 
1569. — S. I. C, i., App. 51. 

Cuckfield," f., 1528-9. — C, ii., 594. 

Dilhome, 1532. — S. I. C, i., App. 41. 

Earls Colne, f., 1519. — C, i., 430. 
Ewelme, f., between 1422-61. — C, ii., 301. 

Northallerton." Record of presentation of master, 1385. — C, ii., 860-, 

Oxford, Magdalen College School, f., 1480. — S. I. C, xii., 250. 

RoUeston, f., 1520. — C, ii., 486. 

Wolverhampton," f., 1515. — C, ii., 501. 



' f., abbreviation for founded. 
^ C, abbreviation for Carlisle. 

' D. N. B., abbreviation for Dictionary of National Biography. 
* L. P., abbreviation for Letters Patent. 

' S. I. C, abbreviation for Schools Inquiry Commission Reports. 
" School mentioned in list given by Leach in his English Schools at 
the Reformation. 

' C. C. R., abbreviation for Charity Commissioners' Report. 

Erratum — Notes 8 to 14. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 71 



APPENDIX B.i 



Value of Annuity. 
£. s. d. Place. 

3 4 II Rothewell 

3 18 o Leyland^ 

5 4 10 Darlington 
568 Bodmin 
600 Penrith 

6 18 o Penrhyn 
700 Saltash 





Value of Annuity. 




Value of Annuity. 


£. 


5. d. Place. 


£■ 


s. d. Place. 


10 


Leicester' 


17 


13 3 Launceston' 


10 


13 2 Tamworth 


20 


Cheltenham' 


13 


6 8 Stone* 


20 


Daventry* 


13 


6 8 Uttoxeter* 


20 


Halsted' 


13 


6 8 Stevenage* 


26 


I 8 Salisbury 


13 


6 8 Chesterfield'' 


28 


Sutton Valence' 


16 


14 II Bromyard^ 


38 


13 4 Ipswich' 



^ The authority unless otherwise designated, is the same as that 
quoted for the school in Appendix A. The donor is the Crown unless- 
otherwise designated. The dates are within the reign of Elizabeth. 

' S. I. C, xvii., 307. 

' C, i., 770. 

* Thomas Allen, donor. 

^ Private individual, donor. 

"C, i., 483. 

' C, i., 139. 

« C. C. R., xix., 465. 



Annual Value of Land 

;£. s. d. School. 

10 00 Great Blencow 

10 00 Dean 

10 13 4 Highgate* 

11 48 Ashby de la Zouch 
14 00 Elmdon 

20 00 Cheltenham 

20 00 Dedham 

20 00 Kirkby Lonsdale' 



APPENDIX C.i 

Annual Value of Land. 



£. s. d. School. 

21 10 o Barton-under-Needwood 

23 10 o Newport 

24 13 4 Rugby* 
30 o o Rivington 
30 00 Dronfield 

40 o o Wymondham 

41 97 Reading^ 
45 76 Coventry' 



* The authority, unless otherwise specified, is the same as that quoted' 
for the school in Appendix A. The donor is in each case a private indi- 
vidual unless otherwise specified. The dates are within the reign of 
Elizabeth. 

'S. I. C, xii., 35. 

' This rent-charge was purchased for ;£2oo by the governors of the 
school. — S. I. C, xix., 367. 

* Staunton, 354. 

' Crown, donor. — C, i., 36. 
"Poole, Coventry, 251. 



172 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 



School. 
Ashby de la Zouch, 14 
Biddenden, 20 
Broughton in Preston,^ 6 
■Crewkeme^ 
Dean* 



APPENDIX D. 

School. 
Gillingham,* 12 
Kimbolton, 6 
Moulton 
Newport' 
Rugby,* 2 



School. 
Tiverton,* 27 
Wellingborough,' 16 
Whitchurch,* 12 
Witton^ 
Wymondham 



* The authority, unless otherwise specified, is the same as that quoted 
for the school in Appendix A. The number immediately following the 
name of the school represents the number of feoflEees. The dates are 
within the reign of Elizabeth . 

* Feoffees had the right to appoint and dismiss master. 
^ S. I. C, xix., 200. 

* Feoffees had the right to appoint master. 

' Feoffees had the right to appoint master. — C. C. R., xxiv., 47. 
' There appears to have been no limit to the number of feoffees to be 
appointed. 

' Staunton, 302. 

* Feoffees had the right to make statutes, and appoint and dismiss 
master and usher. The "lower limit" was 13. — C, i., 341. 

" Lower "limit," 5. 



APPENDIX El 



Bedford,^ S. I. C, xii., 449. 
Chesterfield,^ C. C. R., xix., 146. 
Colchester,* C. C. R., xxxii., pt. i. 
Coventry,^ C. C. R., xxviii., 118. 
Derby," C. C. R., xvii., 5. 
East Retford,' C. C. R., iv., 187. 
Faversham,* C, i., 575. 
Great Grimsby,* C. 

pt. 4., 422. 
Guildford,!" C, ii., 
High Wycombe," C 

ISO. 
Ipswich," S. I. C, xiii., 191. 
King's Lynn,* C. C. R., xxviii., 25. 
Kingston-on-HuU, S. I. C, xviii., 

475- 
Leicester,* C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 4., 2. 
Leominster," C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 2. 
Ludlow," C, ii., 351. 



C. R., xxxii., 

566. 
. C. R., xxvi., 



Maidstone," James, Maidstone, 45. 
Marlboro ugh, 1* Waylen, 464. 
Morpeth,!' Hodgson, 36. 
Newark, S. I. C, xvi., 407. 
Norwich,* C, ii., 184. 
Nottingham, C. C. R., xx., 387. 
Plymouth, C. C. R., v., 237. 
Pontefract, C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 2, 

810. 
Preston,!' S. I. C, xvii., 373. 
Richmond,* C, ii., 876. 
St. Albans, C. C. R., xxv., 177. 
Salisbury,* C. C. R., xxvi., 366. 
Sandwich,* Boys, 224. 
Shrewsbury," C, ii., 375. 
Southampton, C. C. R., xii., 166. 
Stafford," C, ii., 491. 
Tamworth, C. C. R., xii., 543. 
Woodstock, C, ii., 322. 



! The authority follows immediately the name of the school, 
•dates are within the reign of Elizabeth unless otherwise specified. 
'•ISS3- 



The 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 173, 

' Corporation consisted of mayor, alderman, and burgesses. They 
had the power to make statutes and to appoint the master. 

■* Corporation consisted of bailiffs and burgesses, who had power ta 
appoint master. 

' Power to appoint staff. 

''Power to appoint staff, 1554. 

' 1552. 

* Corporation consisted of mayor, jurats, and commonalty, who had 
power to make statutes. 

* Power to appoint master. 

*" Corporation consisted of mayor and approved men, who had power 
to make statutes, 1553. 

" Corporation consisted of mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, who had 
power to make statutes and appoint master. 

'^ Power to make statutes. 

'' 1554- 

^* No date given; cf. Morpeth, Appendix A.; cf. Preston, Appendix A, 
" Governors consisted of bailiffs, burgesses, and Bishop of Lichfield. 



APPENDIX Pi 



Alford (10)* C, i., 780. 
Appleby (lo)* C, ii., 695. 
Ashbome^ (15)" C, i., 207; C. C. R., 

xix., 6-7. 
Atherstone (is)* C, ii., 615-16. 
Birmingham^ (20)* C, ii., 621-22. 

C. C. R., XX., 647-49. i» 
Blackburn (50)^ S. I. C, xviii., 174. 
Boxford (37)* C. C. R., xx., 552. 
Bruton' (12)^ C, ii., 14." 
Bunbury (12) C. C. R., x., 193. 
Chelmsford' (4)* C. C. R. xxxii., 

pt. i.'i 
Cheveley' (5)^ C. C R., xxxi., 94. 
Chipping Bamet (24)* C, i., 531. 

C. C. R., XXV., 379; S. I. C, xii., 

106. 
Clitheroe' (6)* C. C. R., xv., 74- 

75." 
Cranbrook (13) C, i., 571. 
Crediton (12) C, i., 257. 
Darlington' (4)" S. I. C, xix., 23. 
Dedham (24)" C, i., 428. C. C. 

R., xxviii., 216. 



Drayton in Hales* C. C. R., xxiv., 

300.1^ 
Dronfield C. C. R. xviii., 198. 
Findon (12) cf. Appendix A. 
Gainsborough' (12)* C. C. R., xxxii., 

pt. iv., 440. 
Giggleswick' (8)* C, ii., 801." 
Godmanchester (15) C. C. R., 

xxiv., 96. 
Guisborough (15) C. C. R.,viii., 725. 
Halifax' (12)* C. C. R., xviii., 569. 
Harrow (6) C, ii., 127. 
Hartlebury* (20)* C, ii., 758. 
Hawkeshead' ,Cowper, Hawkes- 

head, 474. 
Hexham (12)" C. C. R., xxiii., 478. 
Highgate' (6)' C, ii., 162. S. I. 

C, xii., 34. 
Houghton le Spring (2)' C, i., 404. 
Homcastle (10) C, ii., 695. 
Kingston-upon-Thames' (2)* C, 

ii., 574- 
Kirkby Lonsdale (24)^ C. C. R., 

vii., 544. 



174 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

XouthM?)* C, i., 823, 825.i'> Sherborne (20)* C. C. R., xxx., 

Mansfield* C. C. R., xxv., 379. 105." 

Market Bosworth (10) C, i., 752. Spalding (4) C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 4, 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne C, ii., 253. 113. 

Nuneaton' (12)' C. C. R., xxix., Stourbridge^ (8)* C. C. R., xxv., 

982." 570." 

Redgrave (2) C. C. R., xxii., 150- Urswick (12)' C. C. R., iii., 228. 

51. Wakefield (14)* C, ii., 910-11. 

Rivington (6) C, i., 715. WalsalF (lo)' C, ii., 499." 

St. Bees (7)^ S. I. C, xix., 30. Wantage (12) S. I. C, xi., 432. 

St. Edmund's Bury^ (16) C. C. R., Wimbome (12) C. C. R., xxx., 

xxiii., 529.^' 53. 

St. Olaves" (16)* C. C. R., x., 116. Worcester (6, 5, or 4)* C. C. R., 
St. Mary Overey^ (6)' C, ii., 583. xix., 519; C, i., 385. 

Sedbergh (12) Piatt, Sedbergh, $3^°- Yarm (12)' C, ii., 915. C. C. R., 
Seven Oaks' (6)* C, i., 617. viii., 750. 



^ Figures in parentheses immediately following the name of school 
represent the number of governors in corporation. Dates, unless other- 
wise specified, are within reign of Elizabeth. 

' Governors had power to make statutes for the school. 

^ Governors had power to make statutes for the school and to appoint 
master. 

* Governors had power to make statutes for the school and to appoint 
teaching staff. 

* Governors had power to make statutes and to appoint and dismiss 
teaching staff. 

' Governors had power to appoint master. 

' Statutes were to be made with the advice and consent of the bishop 
of the diocese in which school was situated. 

' Statutes were to be made and master appointed with the advice of 
the bishop of the diocese. 

* Statutes were to be made and staff appointed with the advice of the 
bishop of the diocese. 

i^Date, 1552. 

" Date, 1551. 

" Date, 1556. 

"Date, 1553. 

" Date, 1550. 

1* No date given; cf. Clitheroe, Appendix A, 

'* Date within reign of Ed. VI. 



APPENDIX G 

Accoimts of George Winnington and Richard Dean, bailiff feoffees of 
the school at Witton in 1596.^ 

' ' By the last account it appeareth that the bailiff 's charge is now 
£4^ 195. ^d., whereof 585. ^d- is in money, and the bills remaining with 



English Grammar Schools in the iieign of Queen Elizabeth. 175 

them amount to £41 12s., as appeareth by the particulars following;" 
(the names of nine persons among whom this sum was at interest follow.) 

£ s. d. 

* ' Received in rents 9 19 4 

Received for Walling this year 7 4 o 

Interest money i 10 o 

Received of Robert Fox for 4 ''peecyngs" walled, since 

Christmas last, after 145. the "peecynge" 2 16 o 



£21 



Payments out: £ s. d. 

To the Schoolmaster 16 o o 

Mr. Venables, for the Chamber 6 8 

Charges in law and otherwise, to get in the School Money, 

as appeareth by the Particulars i 9 10 

Paid to a Councellor for drawing a new Feoffment, and to 

his Clerk for engrossing the same 15 o 

Spent at Chester about that business 3 8 

Spent at the Execution of the Feoffment 3 4 

Spent by Richard Dean in collecting the Rents 3 8 



£19 



* Quoted in C. C. R., xxxi., 444. 



APPENDIX H 

Statement of the Revenues of School at Hartlebury for the 

Year 1557-58. ^ 

' ' The Accotint of John Walker and William Norton, Collectors of the 
Rent and Revenues of all Lands and Tenements belonging to the School 
of Hartelbury from the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lady the Virgin, 
in the year of our Lord 1557, for one whole year next after ended at the 
Annunciation of our Lady 1558, made upon Palme Sunday the same 
year : — 

s. d. 

Receipt, Imprimis received of ready money in the box 35 8^ 

" Item of Thomas Smyth of Elmely Lovett, for one 
year 's rent for a messuage and certain lands there 
called Gerves Place, ended at Michaelmas last. ... 6 8 
" Item of Elizabeth Snow den and John Luccocke, for a 
messuage and a yard-land, lying by Stoure Side in 
the parish of Hartlebury, called Percy's Land, one 
year 's rent, ended at said feast 2 .J 



176 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

s. 
Receipt, Item of William Manning for a messuage and yard- 
land, lying in Whitling, one year's rent due at the 

said feast 12 

" Item of Thomas Smyth of Hartlebury, for four butts 
of land in the Quarry Field, one year's rent due at 
the said feast 

Item of William Thorn, for an acre of land, lying in the 
Spowte Field, one year 's rent due at the said feast . . 

Item of John Thome of Whitling, and Francis Dud- 
massy, for one yard-land called Tynfield, one year's 

rent due at the said feast 13 

" Item of John Manning of Whitling, for a messuage and 
yard-land in Whitling, one year's rent ended at the 
said feast 12 

Item of John Highway of Rushocke, for a messuage 
and certain lands lying in Rushocke, one year 's rent 
due at said feast 11 

Item of Francis Walker of Kidderminster, for a house 
and burgage in Kidderminster in Worster-street, one 
year 's rent due at the said feast 6 

Item of John Hopkins and Francis Thome, for one 
meadow lying by Stoures Side, called Chaunter's 
Meadow, one year's rent due at the said feast. ... 11 
" Item of Francis Best and Thomas Best, for one leasowe 

and two meadows lying together in Ehneley, called 
The Base Groimd, one year 's rent ended at the Feast 
of the Purification of our Lady the Virgin last past . 40 
" Item of Anthony Harward, for one messuage and half 

yard-land called Rowles, one year's rent, end at last 26 



Sum Total £9 o 



"Alloc' — Memorandum, the schoolmaster this year had the school- 
house and the close, garden and orchard adjoining to his own use." 



* Quoted in C. C. R., xxvi., 631. 



APPENDIX I 

License Granted by Archbishop Whitgift in 1585 to Joseph Brown^ 
B.A. (Grammar). 

*'ad instruend. erudiend. et informand. quoscunque pueros in Uteris 
grammaticalibus, aliisque documentis licitis et honestis; ac de jure, legibus 
et statutis hujus regni Anglae in ea parte permissis et approbatis, in qiM- 
cunque loco publico vel private tuo arbitrio, eligend. &c. in et per dioc- 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 177 

Winton et Cicesntorunt probitate et diligentia plurimum confidimus, licen- 
tiam, &c. ad nostrum beneplacitum, tantum ntodo duraturam, &c. 

A license granted by Archbishop Whitgift to Stephen Woodcook 
(reading and Vv^riting) is the same with the exception of the necessary- 
change at the beginning, "in facultate legendi ac scribendi, aliisque docu- 
mentis, &c."^ 

License Granted by Archbishop Whitgift in 1599 to Swetnam, 
to teach children. 

"John by divine providence Archbishop of Canterbury, of all England 
Primate and Metropolitan; to all Christian people to whom these presents 
shall come, sendeth greetings in our Lord God everlasting. These are 
to let you understand, that upon receipt of sufficient testimony of the 
good life and conversation of William Swetnam, of the parish of St. 
Margaret Patens in London, fishmonger; and upon further examination of 
him, being first sworn in due form to the supremacy of the Queen 's most 
excellent Majesty, and subscribing to the Articles agreed upon by the 
Clergy in anno 1562, we have licensed, and by these presents do license 
the said William Swetnam, to teach and instruct children in the princi- 
ples of reading, and introduction into the accidence; and also to write, 
and to cast accounts, in any parish within the city of London, or our 
peculiar Churches of Canterbury, within the said city. Enjoyning him, 
that every week he do instruct his children and scholars in the Catechism 
made and set forth by Mr. Alexander Nowel, now Dean of the cathedral 
church of St. Paul in London : and that he with his scholars, so many as 
shall be of the parish where he shall teach, do usually and commonly 
resort and repair, on all sabbaths and festival days, to the church of the 
parish where he shall so teach: and he with his scholars do reverently 
hear Divine service and sermons, and dutifully and diligently attend there- 
unto. And also we will, this our license to endure, during his good be- 
havior, and our pleasure; and no otherways. In witness whereof, we 
have caused this our seal of our office of principal registry to be put 
hereunto. Dated this 20th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1599, 
and of our translation the i6th. ' '^ 



' Quoted in Strype's Life of Archbishop Whitgift, Vol. I., 468-69. 
^ Regist. Whitg., Vol. III., fol. 105b. Quoted in full by Strype in his- 
Life of Whitgift, Vol. III., Appendix, p. 384. 



APPENDIX J 

Among the Articles to be enquired of in the Archbishop's metro- 
political visitation was the following item. 

' ' Item, Whether your schoolmasters be of sincere religion, and diligence 
in teaching and bringing up of youth. Whether they teach any other 
grammar than such as is appointed by the Queen 's Majesties Injunctions, 
annexed unto the same." — Strype, Life of Parker, iii., 32. 
12 



1 78 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Among the ' ' Articles to be inquired of in the metropolitical visitation 
of the most reverend father in God, Matthew, in all and singular cathedral 
and collegiate churches within his province of Canterbury," is the fol- 
lowing item : 

"Item, Whether your grammar school be well ordered? Whether the 
number of children thereof be furnished? How many wanteth; and by 
whose default? Whether they be diligently and godly brought up in the 
fear of God, and wholesome doctrine? Whether any of them have ben 
receyved for money or rewards; and by whom? Whether the statuts, 
foundations, and other ordinances touching the same grammar school, 
and the schoolmaster, and scholars thereof, or any other having doing 
or interest therein, be kept? by whom is it not observed; by whose 
fault?" — Strype, Life of Parker, Vol. iii., 155. 

Among the Injunctions of Archbishop Grindle to the Dean and Chapter 
of the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Bangor (1576) was the fol- 
lowing : 

"Item, That the said Dean and Prebendaries diligently and care- 
fully look quarterly, that schoolmasters, ushers, and scholars of the 
grammar school there erected, observe and keep the statutes and ordi- 
nances of the same school. And that once every year a full and 
perfect account be made of all the revenues belonging to the said 
school, before the Bishop there, or his substitute, the first week of 
November yearly without any fraud, delay or collusion." — Strype, Life 
of Grindle, 317. 

Letter of Queen's Council to Archbishop Grindle, Jime 18, 1580. 

' ' And for as much as a great deal of the corruption in religion grown 
throughout the realm, proceedeth of lewd schoolmasters, that teach and 
instruct children as well publicly as privately in men 's houses ; infecting 
eachwhere the youth without regard had unto (a matter. . . .chiefly to 
be looked into by every Bishop within his diocese) it is thought meet for 
redress thereof, that you cause all such schoolmasters as have charge of 
children, to be by the Bishop of the diocese, or such as he shall appoint, 
examined touching their religion : and if they shall be found corrupt and 
unworthy, to be displaced, and proceeded withal as other recusants; and 
fit and sound persons placed in their rooms. ' ' — Strype, Life of Grindle, 
378; also Cardwell's Annals, vol. i., 394- 

Among the Articles of Inquiry issued by Archbishop Grindle, June 21, 
1580, to his officers making inquisition throughout his diocese were the 
following items: 

' ' 4. Item, What schoolmasters are within your parish, and what their 
names are that teach pubHcly or privately within any man's house 
within your parish, of what state, calling, or condition soever he or they 
be ; in whose house or houses any such schoolmaster or teacher is. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 179 

"5. Item, Whether any such schoolmaster, or schoohnasters, is re- 
ported, known, or suspected to be backward in the reUgion now estab- 
lished by the laws of this realm, that are thought any way to be secret 
hinderers thereof." Strype, Life of Grindle, 379. Also Cardwell's 
Annals, i., 395. 

Among Archbishop Grindle 's directions for inquiry in his diocese in 
1 581 was the following: 

"VII. Item, You shall inquire whether any schoolmaster of suspected 
religion or that is not licensed to teach by the bishop or ordinary doth 
teach in any public or private place within the diocese." Cardwell's 
Annals, i., 404. 

Among the Articles of visitation of the diocese of Chichester, sede 
vacante, issued in 1585 by authority of Archbishop Whitgift was the 
following : 

"VIII., Whether doth any in your parish teach children publicly or 
in any mans house privately? is such licensed by the ordinary; is he 
known to resort to public services and to be of sound religion; doth he 
teach the catechism to his scholars which was set out for that purpose; 
and doth he train up his scholars in the knowledge of true religion now 
established and in obedience to the Prince or no." Strype, Life of 
Whitgift, Appendix, vol. iii., 179. Also Cardwell's Annals, ii., 7. 

Among Archbishop Whitgift' s articles of visitation to be enquired of 
by the churchwardens and ' ' swome men ' * in the ordinary visitation of 
the lord archbishop of Canterbury within the diocese of Sarum, 1588, 
was the following: 

"XIII. Item. Whether you do know any schoolmaster that doth 
teach within your parish without license of his ordinarie under his seal 
or no?" Cardwell's Annals, vol. ii., 15. 



APPENDIX K 

Copy of a letter from Sir John Dean, founder of the School at Witton, 
to a friend concerning some trouble in the election of the master at Witton.* 

"After my hertie comondacons, whereas I am crediblie enformed by 
the report of Mr. John Maisterson and Philip Downes, your neyboures 
and parishioners, that there is contencon amongst you about the noatinge 
and choosinge of a schoolmaster in your towne ; I have thought good , as 
one to whome me thinke the thing being by me founded apperteyneth, 
to require and will you, that in your contencon you have some regard to 
my meanynge in the fovmdation and therewithall to dispose the same 
upon some virtuous and learned, and ahable man for that purpose, 
leaving your affections asside, and bynde your elecon simplie upon the 
statutes of the same schoole, which were not devised without the godlie 
and discreet advise of the learned. And the same statutes, hanging in 



i8o English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

the schole, were openlye redde in the church at my last being there, 
th' eflFect whereof in this parte is, that he shall be chosen and admitted 
by the bishopp of Chester for the tyme being,' or else by the schole-master 
of the Free-schole in the citie of Chester aforesaid, which ordre methinks 
you should not breake. The premises well wayd ad consideredd, I 
praie you send me up the statutes hither to London, to th' intent I may 
set my hande to them in confyrmacon, and in the meane tyme those that 
you have, to hange them up in the schole; further you shall understand 
my meanynge and will is, that 2 feoffees shall be chosen to receyve the 
rentes of the landes, and shall give account yerelye for the same to the 
other feoffees and to the churchwardens of Wytton for the time being;* 
and that those two bailiff feoffees, together with the churchwardens 
aforesaid, shall, from tyme to tyme, yerely, surveye the reparac'ons 
necessary to be done, and make declarac'ons thereof to the rest of the 
feoffees. And besides theyes myn entent and meynyng is, that this my 
letter shall be redde in your church to th' end your hool parishe may 
knowe my minde in the same, and thus I bydd you hertylye farewell. 
Dated to 30th daie of August 1561. 

From your loving friend. 

Sir John Dean, 

Pson of great 

Seynt Barthylmew 's." 

* Quoted in full in C. C. R., xxxi., 443. 

^ The section treating this subject in the statutes reads : 
"Also, because friendship and ignorance might be an occasion that 
oftentimes the SchoUars be frustrate of a Master as aforesaid, I will that 
those Feoffees and certain honest men of the Parish of Witton aforesaid, 
shall present, such a one as they procure and elect, before his admission 
into the School, to the Bishop of Chester, and to the Schoolmaster thereof 
(The Kings' School) for the time being, to be examined of them and to be 
found and thought meet for that vocation." Statutes, 1558. CarHsle, 
i., 130. 

* For copy of Accovmts of Bailiff Feoffees, 1596, cf. Appendix G. 



APPENDIX L. 

I. Annual Salaries op Masters and Ushers. 
S=Statutes. L^Letters Patent. D=Deed. 

Master. Usher. 

jQ. s. d. £. s. d. Date. Authority. 

Alnwick 4 i 8 Eliz. Tate, Alnwick, ii., 73. 

Aldenham 20 o o ..200 o isgs S., S. I. C, xii., 66. 

Andover 16 o o 1569 D., C, ii., 437. 

Aylesham 10 o o 5 13 4 1554 D., S. I. C, xiii., 347- 

Barton under Needwood. . . 13 6 8 s 13 4 1593 D., C. C. R., vii., 303. 

Berkhamsted 17 6 8 8 13 4 iS49 Act of Parliament, S. I. C. xii., 78 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 8 1 



Master. • Usher. 

£. s. d. £. s. d. Date. Authority. 

Biddenden 13 6 8 614 41566 D., S. I. C, xi., 21. 



Blackrod 

Boston 

Bridgenorth. 



Bridgewater 613 4 

Bristol 13 6 8 

Bromyard 13 14 1 1 

Bunbury 20 o o 



1567 C. C. R., xix., 185. 

158s Thompson, Boston, 284. 

1547 C. ii., 340. 

Eliz. Ibid. 

1561 L., C, ii., 402. 

1561 D., S. I. C, XV.. 24. 

1565 L., S. I. C, XV., 207. 

IS93 D., C. C. R., X., 194. 



Canterbury 20 o 

Cheltenham 16 o 

Coventry 20 o 

Music Master 2 12 

Chester 16 13 

20 o 

Circencester 7 ° 

20 o 

Crediton 13 6 

Croydon' 20 o 

Daventry iS o 

Dean 10 o 

Dedham 20 o 

Derby 13 6 

Drayton 13 6 



o 10 o o 1562 Strype, Parker, {., 227. 

o 400 1574 D,. C, i., 446. 

o 10 o o 1573 D., C. C. R., xxviii.. 118. 

o 168 1573 D., C, ii., 647. 

4 8 10 o 1541 Gastrin's N. C, 68, 

o xo 16 8 1582 Ibid, 66. 

o 1560 S. I. C, XV., 60. 

o 1573 Ibid. 

8 1559 L-. C., i., 257. 

o 1600 C. C. R., xxxi., 872. 

o s o o 1576 D., C. C. R., xiii., 9. 

o 1596 D., S. I. C, xix , 200. 

o 1579 S., S. I. C, xxvii., 217. 

8 Mary L., Simpson, Derby, i., 478. 

8 6 13 4 1556 D., C. C. R., xxiv., 301. 



East Adderbury 13 

East Retford 10 

Eye (Corporation) 10 

Felsted 20 

Fotheringham 20 



6 8 1589 D., C, ii., 292. 

00 500 1552 S., C ii., 286. 

o o 1566 Constitution of Borough., C. C. 

R., xxii., 140. 
o o 10 o o 1564 D., C. C. R., xxix., pt. i., 206. 



Eliz. L., C. C. R., xxiv., 204. 



Gillingham 

Godmanchester 20 

Grantham 12 

Guisborough 10 



13 6 8 1599 C, i., 372. 

20 o o Eliz. L., C, i., SSS- 

o I5S3 L-. Ibid, 805. 

o 1561 S.. C. C. R.. viii., 725. 



Hawkeshead 20 o o 

Halsted 20 o o 

... , ( Revenues 

^^^^^^ ] of School 

Higham Ferrers 10 o o 



3 6 



8 1588 
. IS94 
o Eliz. 



S., Cowper, Hawkeshead, 482 
D., C. C. R., xxxii., pt. i. 754. 



1547 C, ii 



C. C. R., xxiii., 479. 
209. 



Ipswich (Crown) 24 6 



14 6 8 1565 L., C. C. R., xix.. 465. 



Kendle 19 5 8 

King's Lynn (Cor.) 13 6 8 

King's Norton (Crown).... 10 o o 

Kirkby Stephen 10 o o 

Knutsford S 6 8 



. . 1582 C, ii., 711. 

. . IS94 C. C. R., xxviii., 25. 

oEd.VI. C, ii.. 768. 

7 1566 S., C, ii., 717. 719- 
. . 1549 L., S. I. C. xvii.. 46. 



Leicester (Crown) 10 o 

Lichfield (Crown) 613 

Added End 3 6 

Total Stipend 10 o 



1564 L., C. C. R.. xxxii.. pt. 5. 

5 10 II 1552 L.. C, ii., 479- 

I 13 4 155s D-. Ibid, 479. 
7 4 3 -^555 



i82 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 



Master. 
£. s. d 

Lincoln (Cath. Cor.) 20 o 

(Town Cor.) 6 o 

ToUl Stipend 26 6 

Liverpool (Cor.) 10 o 

Louth 20 o 

Lowestoft 13 6 

Maidstone 9 6 

Marlborough 13 6 

Merchant Taylors School, 

London Co 10 o 

Middleton 13 6 

Normanton 10 o 

Newbury (Cor.) 12 o 

Norwich (Town Cor.) .... 10 o 

(Town Cor.) .... 20 o 

(Cath. Cor.) 13 6' 

Total Stipend 33 6 

Nuneaton 10 o 

Oakham 24 o 

Oundle 18 o 

Plymouth 20 o 

Pontefract (Crown) 20 o 

Reading (Cor.) 10 o 

Redgrave 20 o 

Ringwood 13 6 

Risley 6 13 

Rochdale Archbish., Can- 
terbury IS o 

St. Albans 20 o 

Saint Bees 20 o 

St. Dunstan's, Stepney. ... 10 o 

St. Saviour (Crown) 10 o 

Salisbury (City School)... 26 i 

Sandwich 20 o 

Seven Oaks 3 6 

Shrewsbury (1st. M.) 4° o 

(2nd. M.) 30 o 

(3rd. M.) 20 o 

(4th M.) 10 o 

Southampton 20 o 

26 13 

20 o 

20 o 

Stevenage 13 6 

Stone 13 6 

Stratford-on-Avon 20 o 

Sutton Valence 20 o 

Tamworth (Crown) 10 13 

Tenderden 10 o 

Thame 26 13 



Usher. 

£. s. d. Date. Authority. 

o 1583 D., C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 5., 4- 

o 13 6 8 1583 Ibid. 4. 
8 

o Eliz. Picton, Liverpool, 104. 

o 10 o o 1552 C, i., 822. 

8 1571 S. I. C, xiii., 216. 

8 1562 Strype, Parker, 228. 

8 Eliz. Wayland, Marlborough, 465. 

o 10 o o 1561 S., C, ii., S9- 

8 6 13 4 1572 L-. C., i., 706. 

o IS94 D., S. I. C, xviii., 190. 

o Eliz. Money, Newbury, 213. 

o 6 13 4 IS47 C, ii., 185. 

o 6 13 4 1562 C, ii., 185. 

8 1567 Strype, Parker, i., 493- 

8 6 13 4 1567 

o ISS3 L., C. C. R., xxix., 982. 

o 12 o o 1S87 L., S. I. C, xvi., 123. 

o 6 12 o 1556 D., C, ii., 2I4-I7' 

o IS73 L., C. C. R., vi., 227. 

o 572 1583 C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 2., 810. 

o Eliz. Coates, Reading, 312. 

o 800 1576 S., C. C. R., xxii., 151. 

8 1586 D., C. C. R., xiv., S3°- 

4^ 1S93 C, i., 237. 

o' 1565 D., C. C. R., xix., 267. 

o 1570 S., C, i., 515-16. 

o 1583 S., C, i., 156 

o 6 13 4 1552 D., S. I. C, X., 75. 

o 154s L-. C., i.. 325. 

8 1569 L., S. I. .C. xiv., 43. 

o 10 o o 1580 S., Boys, Sandwich, 223. 

8 1574 S., C, i., 619. 

o 1571 S., Staunton, Great Schools 

England, 419. 

o 1571 Ibid. 

o 1571 Ibid. 

o 1571 Ibid. 

o 1561 Davies, Southampton, 311-12. 

4* 1569 C. C. R., xiii., 167. 

o 1583 Ibid. 

o 1601 Davies, Southampton, 311—12. 

8 1558 D., S. I. C, xii., 137. 

8 1558 D., C, i., 516. 

o ISS3 L-. S. I. C, XV., 732. 

o 800 1578 D., C, i., 624. 

2 1588 L., C. C. R., xii., 543- 

o 1562 Strype, Parker, i., 227-8. 

4 13 6 8 1574 C. C. R., xxix., pt. 1., 866^ 



of 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 183 

Master. Usher. 

£. s. d. £. s. d. Date. Authority. 

Thetford 13 6 8 50 01576 D., C, i., 340; S. I. C, xiv., asvff. 

20 o o 10 o o 1596 L., S. I. C, xvi., 123. 

Tiverton 50 o o 13 6 8 1599 C, i., 339. 

Uppingham 24 o o 12 o o 1587 S. I. C, xvi., 123. 

Uttoxeter 13 6 8 1558 D., C, i., si6. 

Wellingborough 13 6 8 6 13 4 1596 S., C, ii., 227. 

Wellington 417 6 Ed.VI. C, ii., 379. 

West Lavington 10 o o 1597 C. C. R., v., 288. 

15 o o IS99 L-. C. C. R., XV., 55. 

Whalley (Crown) 13 6 8* 1570 C, i., 198. 

Whitchurch 10 o o 368 1570 S., C. C. R., xxiv., 337. 

Wisbech 12 o o 1548 L., C, i., loi. 

Witton 12 o o' 1558 S., C, i., 132. 

16 o o 1S96 C. C. R., xxi., 444. 

Wye 13 6 8 1562 Strype, Parifeer, i., 227. 



* House occupied by Master was erected by Archbishop Whitgift. — Hook's Lives of 
Archbishops, v., 166. 

' This amount was to be paid out of the Manor of Wilsthrop to the minister of Risley to 
teach the children of the parish. — C, i., 237. 

' This amount was to be paid from tythes appropriated to school. — Loc. cit. 

* In 1569, £6 135. 4d. of the amount was paid to master for reading weekly lecture of 
divinity. 

* Payments made by Crown from 1540 to at least 1818. — C, i., 198. 

' The statutes refer to this amount as "a reasonable and competent stypend." 

II. Graduation of Entrance Fees in Shrewsbury. 

"Item, Every scholar shall pay for his admission, viz: — 

A lord's son 105. 

A knight 's son 6s. %d, 

A son and heir apparent to a gentleman 3j. ^d. 

And for every other of their sons 25. td. 

And any under those degrees above-said, and bom without the county of Salop . . 25. 

And any under those degrees above-said, and bom in the county of Salop i2d. 

Every burgess 's son inhabitant within the town or liberties thereof 01 of the Abey 

Foregate, if he be of ability 4rf. 

The son of every other person there inhabiting 8d, 

— Bailiffs' ordinances, 1577. Staunton, 420. 



APPENDIX M 

List op Schools in Which Grammar Was Prescribed in the Reign 

OF Elizabeth.* 

Reference to volume and 
Letters page of Report of Schools 
Place. Patent. Inquiry Commission. 

Ashbome 1585 xvi., 463. 

Atherstone 1572 xv., 675. 

Blackburn 1567 xvii., 174. 

Blackrod 1568 xvii., 179. 

Botesdale 1561 xiii., 129. 

Boxford 1596 xiii., 131. 



184 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Reference to volume and 
Letters page of Report of Schools 

Place. Patent. Inquiry Commission. 

Broughton in Preston 1590^ xviii., 194. 

Bunbury 1594 xvii., 23. 

Burnley i577^ xvii., 202. 

Burton Latimer 1587* xii., 326. 

Chesterfield ^594 xvii., 475. 

Crewkeme i577^ xiv., 203. 

Cropredy 1574' xii., 232. 

Daresbury 1600^ xvii., 38. 

Darlington 1563 xix., 23. 

Daventry i574^ xii., 337 . 

Dean 1596^ xix., 200. 

Faversham 1576 xi., 51. 

Gainsborough 1589 xvi., 202. 

Godmanchester 1561 xii., 417. 

Great Bardfield 1584^ xiii., 12. 

Hexham i599 xix., no. 

Highgate 1565 xii., 34. 

Homcastle 1571 xvi., 250. 

Kimbolton 1600^ xii., 425. 

Kingston-on-Thames 1561 xi., 190. 

Netherbury 1565 xiv., 118. 

Spalding 1588 xvi., 298. 

Sutton Valence 1576 xi., 98. 

Tamworth 1588 xv., 462. 

Urswick 1585 xvii., 416. 

Wimbome 1562 xiv., 140. 

Woodstock 1585^ xii., 281. 

Wycombe 1562 xii., 189. 

Yarm 1590 xviii., 594. 

' List is not intended to be exhaustive nor does it contain cases men- 
tioned in the text. 
*Date of Deed. 



APPENDIX N 

Authors Read at Winchester, 1550. 

Lower Fourth Form. 

Monday and Wednesday. 

Ovid's Tristia, or Erasmus' Colloquies. 
Friday. 

Ovid 's Metamorphoses. 
Saturday. 

Ovid 's Fasti. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth . 185 

Fourth Form. 
Monday and Wednesday. 

Cicero's De Officiis. Ovid's Fasti. 
Friday. 

Ovid's Metamorphoses. 

Saturday. 

Nowell's Latin Catechism. Ovid's Tristia. 

Fifth Form. 
Monday. 

Martial. Cicero's Tusculan Disputations. 

Wednesday. 

Martial. Virgil's ^neid, or Cicero. 
Friday. 

Pindar. Horace 's Satires, or Epistles. 

Saturday. 

Nowell's Greek Catechism. Musaeus. Hesiod. Virgil. 

Sixth Form.. 

Monday. 

Martial. Robinson's Rhetoric. 
Wednesday. 

Martial. Virgil's Mneid, or Cicero. 

Friday. 

Homer. Terence. 

Saturday. 

Nowell's Greek Catechism. — Musaeus. Hesiod. Virgil. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays were holidays. 

The above information obtained from A. F. Leach's History of Win- 
chester College, p. 273. 

APPENDIX O 

Curriculum of Eton in 1560.' 

Lower or Usher's School. 

First Form. 

The Disticha de Moribus of Dionysius Cato. 

The Exercitation Linguae Latinae of John Lewis Vives. 

Second Form. 
Terence. 

Lucian's Dialogues (in Latin), 
.^sop's Fables (in Latin). 



1 86 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, 

Third Form. 
Terence. 

^sop's Fables (in Latin). 
Selections by Sturmius from Cicero's Epistles. 

Upper or Master's School. 

Fourth Form. 
Terence. 
Ovid's Tristia. 
Epigrams of Martial, Catullus, and Sir Thomas More. 

Fifth Form. 
Ovid's Metamorphoses. 
Horace. 

Cicero 's Epistles. 
Valerius Maximus. 
Lucius Fionas. 
Justin. 
Epitome Troporum. of Susenbrotus. 

Sixth and Seventh Forms. 

Caesar's Comm.entaries. 

Cicero de Officiis and de Amicitia. 

Virgil. 

Lucan. 

Greek Grammar. 

"The lower boys had to decline and conjugate words, and their seniors 
had to repeat rules of grammar, for the illustration of which short phrases, 
called 'Vulgaria' were composed and committed to memory. Some 
sort of Latin composition, however brief, was a necessary portion of 
the daily work of every Eton scholar. In the lower forms it was con- 
fined to the literal translation of an English sentence or passage, while 
in the Fifth Form it consisted of a theme on a subject set by the school- 
master. The boys in the Sixth and Seventh Forms used to write verses. ' '* 



* From H. C. Maxwell-Lyte, History of Eton College, pp. 149-50. 
^ Ibid, 149-50. 

APPENDIX P 

Specimen of a Grammarschool Time Table Drawn Up at the Close 

OF THE Sixteenth Century.^ 

Usher's Forms. 

First Form,. 
Time, 7-1 1 A.M. 

The Royal Grammar (2; 3; 4; 5).* 

Repetition of the work of the week (6). 

Examination on the lecture of the previous afternoon (7). 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 8-7 

Time, 1-5 P.M. 

English Testament, or Psalms of David in English (2; 3; 4). 

Half Holiday (5). 

Repetition of the work of the week continued (6), 

Lecture on ^sop's Fables (6). 

Writing out the Catechism in English (7). 

Second Form. 
Time, 7-1 1 A.M. 

Lecture on the Colloquies of Erasmus, or on the Dialogues of Cor- 

derius (2 ; 3). 
Lecture on the Cato senior, or Cato junior (4; 5). 
Repetition of the week's lectures (6). 

Examination on the lecture of the previous afternoon (7). 
Time, 1-5 P.M. 

Translation from English into Latin. Home lessons and exercises 

given out and prepared (2:3; 4). 
HaH Holiday (5). 
Repetition of the week's lectures continued. Lecture on .(Esop's 

Fables (6). 
Writing out the Catechism in English. Arithmetic (7). 

Master's Forms. 

Third Form.. 
Time, 7-1 1 A. M. 

Lecture on the Letters of Ascham, or Sturm's Cicero's Letters, or 
Terence. Paraphrase of a sentence. (2). 

Lecture on Ascham, etc., as on Monday. Vulgaria in Prose. (3). 

Lecture on Palingenius, or the Psalms of Hess. Paraphrase of a 
sentence. (4). 

Lecture on Palingenius, or the Psalms of Hess (5). 

Vulgaria in Prose, and repetition of the week's lectures (6). 

Examination in Lecture of previous afternoon (7). 
Time, 1-5 P.M. 

Latin Syntax, or Greek Grammar, or Figures of Sysenbrote. Home 
lessons and exercises given out and prepared (2:3; 4). 

Half Holiday (5). 

Repetition of week's work continued. Lecture on Erasmus' Apoph- 
thegms (6). 

Catechism and New Testament. 

Fourth Form- 
Time, 7-1 1 A.M. 

Lecture on Cicero de Senectute, or de Amicitia, or on Justin (2; 3). 
Lecture on Ovid's Tristia, or de Ponto, or Seneca's Tragedies (4; 5).^ 
Verse Theme, and repetition of the week's lectures (6). 
Examination on lecture of previous afternoon (7). 



1 88 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Time, 1-5 P.M. 

Prose Theme (2; 4). 

Latin Syntax, or Greek Grammar, or Figures of Sysenbrote. Home 

lessons and exercises given out and prepared (2:3; 4). 
Half Holiday (5). 
Repetition of the week's lectures continued, and Lecture on Ovid's 

Fasti (6). 
Catechism and New Testament (7). 

Fifth Form. 
Time, 7-1 1 A.M. 
Prose Theme (2; 4). 

Lecture in Cicero or Sallust or Caesar's Commentaries (2; 3), 
"Verse Theme (3; 6). 

Lecture in Virgil or Ovid's Metamorphosis, or Lucan (4; 5). 
Repetition of the week's lectures (6). 

Examination on the lecture of the previous afternoon (7). 
Time, 1-5 P.M. 
Latin Syntax, or Greek Grammar, or Figures of Sysenbrote. Home 

lessons and exercises given out and prepared (2:3; 4). 
Half Holiday (5). 
Repetition of week's lectures continued, and Lecture on Horace, 

or Lucan, or Seneca's Tragedies (6). 
Declamation on a given Subject by several senior scholars. Catechism 
and New Testament (7). 

N.B. — Sysenbrotus. "The work of Sysenbrotus (a German, ob. 
1543) here meant is, no doubt, 'Epitome troporum ac schematum et gram- 
maticorum et rhetorum., ' of which the Bodleian Library possesses Eds. 
Antv. 1566, Lond. 1608 and 1635." — The Rev. J. E. B. Mayor, Librarian 
of the University of Cambridge, quoted by Mr. Fearon in his Report, 
S. I. C, vii., 262. 



' Taken from the Report of Mr. Fearon, S. I. C, vii., 262-63. 
^ The figures in parenthesis indicate the days of the week. 



APPENDIX Q 

Number of Pupils in Various Schools. 

No. Pupils. 

Abingdon 70 ( — )' D.' 1562 S. I. C, xi., 396. 

Aldenham 60 S.' 1599 Carlisle, i., 529. 

Barton-under-Needwood. . 70 (+)■* F.W.* 159,1 C C. R., vii., 303. 

Bath 10' Carlisle, ii., 400. 

Berkhamsted 144 A.P.^ 1549 S. I. C, xii., 79. 

Bungay 50 S. 1591 S. I. C, xiii., 135. 

Burford 40 ( — ) S. 1571 Monk, Bur/ord, 133. 

Cheltenham 50 D. 1586 S. I. C, xv., 33. 

Colchester 60 ( — ) S. 1584 Cromwell, Colchester,!!., 313 

Daventry So(— ) F.W. 1576 S. I. C, xii., 337. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 189* 



No. Pupils. 

Dedh&m 20 D. 1571 Carlisle, i., 438. 

Felsted 80 S. 1564 Carlisle, i., 432. 

Halsted 43 1594 Carlisle i., 434. 

Highgate 40 S. 1571 S. I. C, xii., 34. 

London Merchant Taylors. 250 S. 1561 Staunton, 213. 

St. Paul's IS3 S. 1512 Staunton, 186. 

Lowestoft 40 D. 1571 C. C. R., xxii., 180. 

Newcastle-under-Lyme . . . 30 F.W. Eliz. Carlisle., ii., 482. 

Normanton 3o(+) D- 1594 S. I. C, xviii., 190. 

Norwich 90 O.C* is66 S. I. C, xiii., 336. 

Penryn 3' Carlisle, i., 142. 

Redgrave 60 (— ) S. 1576 C. C. R., xxii., 151. 

Rochdale 59 | ^" J^gJ i S. L C, xvii., 393. 

St. Albans 120 S. 1570 Carlisle, i., 516. 

St. Savior 100 ( — ) S. 1562 Carlisle, ii.. 684. 

Scarborough 20 iS97 Baker, Scarborough 300. 

Shrewsbury 360 1581 Owen, Shrewsbury 371. 

Tarvin 20 D. 1600 S. L C, xvii., 93. 

Tiverton 150 D. 1599 Carlisle, i., 340. 

Worcester 12^' 1561 Carlisle, ii., 777. 

Yarm 6'* 1589 Carlisle, ii., 915. 

' ( — )="or less." 

^ D.= "deed." 

' S.= "statutes. ' ' 

* (-f- )^"or more." 

»F.W.^"founder's will." 

' Founded by Ed. VL for the education of ten poor boys gratis. 

' A.P.= "Act of Parliament." 

' O.C.^' 'order of court. ' ' 

' School endowed by Queen with £6 i8s. per annum for master to teach 3 boys. 

^"Founded for education of 12 boys. 

'^ Number on the "Conger" foundation. 



APPENDIX R 

School-House Erected in Louth in 1557-8. 

Total Cost, £s4 8s. 

for hewing of Tymber at St. maryes churche xs. 

for hewing of wood ther to make seats iiJ5. 

for xliij foote di [i.e. 43 J feet] of glasse to the wyndowes 

in the end of the Chamber at vijd. the foote xxvj. 

Itm for di m (500) [thacke] to the rigging of the bedehouse . xiJ5. 

Itm for j qater to the song scole & kirkebie house iiiJ5. 

Itm paid for xj pound of Candil after iijd. the pound be- 
stowed about the workes of the said scole ijs. 

Itm for great nailles to the new grese 01 

It. for di hundreth of tray nailles and di c of stowring naille . 

jc lathe nailles 

jc of tingle nailles & iij bunche sewing rope 

Itm for one stocke locke to the wikitt 

Itm for one locke to the Jakes dore 



injd' 

iiijd. 
ixd 



ixrf. 

ijd.- 
iijd. 
iiijd. 
vjd. 

vd^ 



1 90 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

Itm for iiij blake ringe to the nowill iiijd. 

Itm to Water Stoker & Jackson for spetchis xxd. 

Itm for vj barrel! full of playster to the nowill iiiJ5. 

It. for hart latte to the same & to the gaite iiJ5. \d. 

Itm for vij threve (bundle) of rie straw & for litter for rigging 

and walling iiJ5. iiijrf. 

Itm pd more for one lood of rice (brushwood) to make the 

hedge against the paile i]s. 

for whiting the chamber with lyme X5. 

for one dayes walling the chamber from the paune of the 

house downeward xxijd. 

Itm pd to Sympson and chapma for felling the rice & for 

hedging the same by the space of one day and a half after 

v]d. the day to meat and wages xviijd. 

Itm paid to luke for whiting the balkes and drawing the 

versys in the same vs. 

From R. W. Goulding 's Louth Old Corporation Records, 109-10. 



APPENDIX S 

Description of School House to be Built in Tiverton. 

Date, 1599. 

First floor: "a hawle, buttery and kitchin, all of convenient space 
and biggness to be joined unto it, with convenient roomes over the same 
hawle, buttery, and kitchen." 

All windows were to be " well and strongly glassed and barred with 
iron barrs, and weel covered. ' ' 

The floor of the school was to be " weel planched with plancks of oke 
supported and borne from the ground with strong ledges or beames, with 
soe many strong settles and formes as shall be convenient, having regard 
to the bigness of the same Schoole and the number of SchoUars to be 
taught therein (150)." 

There was to be a partition four feet high in about the middle. 

The school was to be "strongly wainscotted rownde aboute," the 
wainscot to extend ' ' abowte five or six foote above the settles or formes, 
and with such settles, formes, and seates, and in such manner to be 
framed, placed, and devised as shall be thought most convenient. ' ' 

The Hall also was to be " plancked or paved, and also wainscotted 
round abowte as high as the lofte. ' ' 

In the hall and chamber over it there was to be " one or other chimney, ' ' 
while in the kitchen there was to be " one faier great chimney with an 
oven. ' ' There was also to be a chimney in the chamber over the kitchen. 

Adjoining to the school-house there was to be "a convenient garden 
and wood-yard. ' ' All was to be "well walled and inclosed with a strong 
wall, the goinge in and forthe to be at one only place with a fair strong 
gate with a little dore as is usual in the Schooles. ' ' 

Founder's Will, 1599, Carlisle, i., 339. 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 191 

APPENDIX T 

Morning and Evening Prayers at East Retford. 

Morning Prayer. 

"O Most merciful God and giver of all understanding which, at the 
invocation of the faithful, hast ever given things necessary for the setting 
forth of thy Glory, as the examples of all ages recordeth, and for because 
nothing is more needful than Wisdom and Understanding we there- 
fore congregate in this place to learn the same, most humbly beseech thee, 
O Eternal Father, so to illuminate our Wits and Understandings, that we 
may have our whole affection upon Wisdom in these years of our infancy. 
And furthermore may ever after receive, love, and embrace, the same, and 
accordingly to the precepts thereof may direct our acts, and last of all 
that the true Wisdom of God may so shine in all our living, as may be to 
the Glory and Praise of him from whom all Wisdom cometh. Grant this 
we beseech thee, O God, for the love of thy most dearly beloved son Jesus 
Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. So be it. "^ 

Evening Prayer. 

"Lighten our darkness we beseech thee, O Lord, and by thy great 
Mercys defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love 
of thy only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen."^ 

* Statutes made by Bailiffs and Burgesses with the advice of Robert 
Archbishop of York, 1552, Carlisle, ii., 282. 



APPENDIX U» 

Annual Annual 

Annual Annual Salary Salary No. of Annual 

Salary Salary of of Grammar Scholarship 

Cathedral of of Head Under Boys. of 

Church. Dean.* Canons.* Master.* Master.* Each Boy.* 

£ s.d. £ s. d. £ s.d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 

Canterbury . . 300 00 40 211 20 00 10 o o 50* 400 

Rochester... . 100 o o 20 o o 13 6 8 6 11 10 20* 2 13 4 

Peterborough 100 o o 20 o o 16 13 4 800 20' 2 13 4 

Gloucester. . . 100 00 20 00 13 68 6 13 4 000 

Worcester.... 133 o o 20 o o 20 o o 9 ig 4 40* 2 13 4 

Bristol 100 0020001368 6 13 4 000 

Carlisle 120 76 22 50 13 68 000 000 

Chester 100 o o 20 o o 16 13 4 800 24* 3 68 

Winchester. . . 199 0031118 000 000 000 

Durham 266 13 4 32 5 10 10 o o 6 13 4 18* 368 

Ely 120 7 6 20 o o 16 13 4 800 24^ 3 68 

' Dataof this table, unless otherwise designated, are taken from table facing p 
ton 's Cathedral Trusts and their Fulfilment. 

* Date, IS42. 

' Data for the same date taken from same authority, p. 100. 

* Whiston, loc cit. p. 94. 
" Cf. S. I. C. i., App. 42. 



Expenses 

of the 

School per 

Annum.' 

£ s.d. 

230 o o 

99 18 6 

78 o o 

20 00 

136 12 8 



13 
131 



6 8 
6 8 



76 13 4 
104 13 4 

37. Whis- 



192 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

APPENDIX V 
Brief Discussion of Grammar School Statutes. 

In a large number of cases the right to make statutes was included among 
the powers granted in the Letters Patent to the corporation {Cf. text, 
p. 40), but in some cases the only authority appears to have proceeded 
from the will of the founder {e.g.. Stone, Uttoxeter, and Stevenage, 
Founder's Will (1558). Carlisle, ii., 498). 

While in some instances as in Saint Bees (Letters Patent granted 
and statutes drawn up in same year. Carlisle, i., 152-3) and in Hawkes- 
head (Statutes drawn up three years after Letters Patent were granted, 
Cowper, Hawkshead, 482ff) the statutes were made soon after the authority 
was granted, this was by no means the common case (In Hartlebury 
7 years (i 558-1 565) elapsed between the two dates; — Carlisle ii., 758. 
In Grantham 18 years (1553-1571); — Carlisle, i., 805. In Alford 23 
years (1576-1599); — Carlisle, i., 780. In Faversham 28 years (1576— 
1604); — Edward Jacob, History of Faversham, 55. In Birmingham 124 
years (i 552-1676); — Carlisle, ii., 622. In Ashbome 211 years (1585— 
1796); — S. I. C, xvi., 463. While Kendle (Carlisle, ii., 712), Pockling- 
ton (Carlisle, ii.. 863), and Reading (Coates, Reading, (315) appear 
to have been without written statutes as late as the beginning of the 
19th century) and from the cases just cited it will appear that not a 
few schools must have been without written statutes during the period 
of our study. 

The privilege of m,aking the statutes was granted (a) to the founders 
{cf. Text, p. 17) or their heirs {cf. Text, p. 17), (b) to college authorities 
{cf. Text, p. 32), (c) to guilds {cf. Text, p. 32-33), (d) to town corpora- 
tions {cf. Text, p. 36), (e) to incorporated governors {cf. Text, p. 52, 
also Appendix F,) (f) to men not officially connected with the school, 
as at St. Albans, where the statutes were made by Sir Nicholas Bacon 
(Statutes quoted Carlisle, i., 514), at Grantham, where they were made by 
Nicholas, Bishop of Lincoln, and Sir William Cecil, Knight (Carlisle, i.^ 
806), at Wellingborough, where they were made in 1596 by Sir Thomas. 
Egerton Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal (Carlisle, ii., 227), and 
(g) to church dignitaries as at Colchester, where the statutes were to be 
made by John Lord Bishop of London and by Alexander Nowell, Dean 
of St. Paul and their successors (Letters Patent, 1584; Joseph Strutt,. 
Colchester, i., 119; also C. C. R., xxxii., pt. 4., 526) and at Brentwood 
where they were to be made by Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London 
and Dean Nowell (Carlisle, i., 408). 

As has been noted in the text, page 52, these statutes were as a rule 
to be made with the advice and consent of some bishop of the church, 
or of some other learned church dignitary, or when made were to be 
confirmed by such persons {Cf. Appendixes E and F). Thus in one of 
the cases just cited, (Grantham) the statutes received the confirmation 
of Thomas, Bishop of Lincoln, in 1571 ; the statutes made by the Parson, 
two Wardens, and four Assistants were confirmed in 1574 by the Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury (Carlisle, i., 619); while those made for the school 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 193 

at Tunbridge by the Skinners' Company of London were submitted 
to Dean Nowell and after having been slightly corrected by him were 
submitted to Archbishop Parker (Carlisle, i., 627). In one of the instances 
in which no mention is made of the necessity of the statutes being ap- 
proved by the bishop of the diocese, the statutes were to be made by 
the Governors of the school together with the Warden or sub-warden 
and six senior fellows of All Souls College, Oxford (case of Faversham 
given in Jacob's History of Faversham, 55), while in High Wycombe 
they were not to be at variance with the laws of the realm (Letters 
Patent, 1562. C. C. R., xxvi., 150). 

The general purpose or aim of the statutes was to ' ' better regulate 
and order ' ' the affairs of the school as a glance at the outlines of the 
contents of a few will make clear. In Marlborough the mayor and 
burgesses were given the power "to make proper and wholesome ordi- 
nances and statutes in writing concerning the government and order of 
the schoolmaster and also of the scholars of the school, and other things 
touching or concerning the school" (James Waylen, A History of the 
Town of Marlborough, 464). The emphasis is here placed upon the 
educational aspect of the work of the governors. In Alford, however, 
the statutes were to be concerned with the financial rather than educa- 
tional matters (Carlisle, i., 780). In not a few cases, the two phases are 
fairly well balanced. Thus in Kingston upon Thames the governors were 
to make ' ' fit and salutary written statutes and ordinances concerning 
and touching the ordering, governing, and direction of the master and 
undermaster, and the school aforesaid, and the stipend and salary of 
the said master and under master, and other things touching and 
concerning the said school; and the ordering, governing, preservation, 
and disposal of the rents and revenues appointed and to be appointed 
for the maintenance of the said school" (George Roots, The Charters 
of the Town of Kingston upon Thames, 95). Similarly in Bruton the 
statutes and ordinances were in the language of the Letters Patent, to 
be ' ' concerning and touching the order, government, and direction of 
the schoolmaster and scholars of the school, the nomination, constitution, 
and appointment of the stipend or salary of the schoolmaster, and other 
things touching and concerning the same school, and the order, govern- 
ment, preservation and disposition of the rents and revenues of 

the same school" (Letters Patent, 1551. Carlisle, ii., 417). 

It has been noted (Text, p. 49, footnote 146) how the common chest 
was used for the preservation of the written statutes. These, however, 
were not intended to be entombed as dead letters, but were to be " observed 
inviolably" (James Waylen, History of Marlborough, 464). They were 
to be impressed upon governors, teachers, scholars and friends of the 
school. In Hawkeshead the governors upon taking office swore in their 
oath, ''I will dilligently and faithfully to the uttermost of myne Ability 
keep by myself and cause to be keept by others (as much as I can) inviol- 
ably all these Statutes" (For entire oath cf. Text, p. 45). In Saint Bees, 
at the annual meeting of the governors, the statutes were to be read 
before them by either master or usher (Text, p. 47). In the installation 

13 



194 English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

ceremony at East Retford the master and usher were to swear in their 
oath, "I shall not fraudulently, maliciously, nor wittingly of my part 
neglect or break any Ordinance or Statute of the said School lawfully set 
forth and made, so far as to me doth appertain. But shall inviolately 
observe and keep them, and every one of them, as near as God shall give 
me grace" (Statutes, 1552. Carlisle, ii., 286); while under similar 
circumstances the master at Kirkby Stephen was to swear, ' ' And further 
shall observe all the statutes and ordinances of this schoole now made, 
or hereafter to be made which concern me, and shall doe nothing in the 
prejudice thereof, but help to maintain the same from time to time 
during my aboad herein to the best of my power ' ' (Founder 's Statutes. 
Carlisle, ii., 715). One of the duties of the two governors of the school at 
St. Albans was to see that the orders and statutes were obeyed by the 
schoolmaster and scholars (Statutes, Carlisle, i., 514). In Witton, 
at the admission of every scholar, the schoolmaster was to read the 
Statutes, Orders, Rules and Laws applying to the scholar whose friends 
when the reading had been completed, were to promise that they would see 
to it that the scholar kept all the rules, etc. pertaining to him (Statutes 
Carlisle, i., 132. For further information about the preservation of the 
statutes at Witton cf. Appendix K). 

In order that the statutes might be preserved various means were 
taken to prevent their becoming lost or destroyed. In Kirkby Stephen the 
founder made the following provisions for the preservation of his con- 
stitution: "And, I will and ordain that these Constitutions shall be 
fair written in parchment" (In the account of the expenditure of the 
Bridgemasters of the Borough of Nottingham for the year 1582 there is 
the following : ' ' Item ye copyes of ye charter and of ye ordinauncesof ye 
Free Schoole, iij5. iiijd. " — Records of the Borough of Nottingham, iv., 
201) ' 'and shall be sett in a frame of wood, and the same so written and 
made shall be hanged in a convenient place within the chapell wherein 
my tomb is within the church of Kirkby Stephen, and my son and heire 
for the time being, to have one part of the said constitutions fair written, 
and that part to remain and be in my Chappell of Wharton, and a third 
part to remain and be in the said Free Schoole, to the intent that all 
manner of persons. Schoolmaster, Schollers, and others may knowe the 
said Constitutions for the better executing the same; and if any of the 
said Constitutions by the continuance of time doe frett or wear, so as 
the same cannot be plainly read, that then and before they be so freet 
or worne, they shall be fair written again upon parchment and set and 
kept in the said four places as before in this articule is written, and the 
same to be so written and order by the Governors, my son and heire or 
heires, and the Schoolmaster for the time being or any of them ' ' (Statutes 
quoted in Carlisle, ii., 719-20). 

The founder 's wish with respect to his statutes was occasionally incor- 
porated in them. The following extract from the statutes of the school 
at St. Bees is a forceful statement of such a wish: "And we pray and 
charge the Wardens as they will answer unto God at the dreadful day of 



English Grammar Schools in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1 95 

Judgment, that they see these Statutes Faithfully observed to the uttermost 
of their Power" (Quoted in Carhsle, i.. 160). Some of the statutes 
made at and even before this time were observed well into the 19th 
century (E. G., Manchester, Statutes made in 1525. S. I. C, xvii., 313). 



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DEC 21 yUii 



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